Celebrating big victories has a half-life, the party eventually must end. Similarly, being safe from danger doesn't mean you are doing good as a person. No one may be chasing you but you still have to fight the war within your own heart. This has been the story of God's people throughout Scripture and, not so ironically, it is our story as well. God is celebrated and credited after our victories, he is worshiped enthusiastically but soon the worship turns to whining when challenges or pain arrive at our doorstep. We discover very quickly that a relationship with God doesn't mean a pain free life. What it does mean is that we are not alone in our pain. Our problem is that we are very prone to forget that fact and God must intervene to remind us in a loving but firm way. No middleman. Absolute clarity. Total authority. He simply tells us like it is and how to live. The challenge? Remembering and obeying - not because we have to but because of who asking and what he done for us.