Running With the Devil

Back in 1978 the group Van Halen released an album called, what else, Van Halen. The first song on the album was Running with the Devil. Now, if you remember it, don't act like you don't. And you know who I'm talking to.

This phrase hit me this morning as I was reading the biography of Joash. A king who was saved from the persecution of his grandmother and shown incredible grace by the priest at the time. Eventually, through the work of Jehoiada, the priest, Joash became king at 7, yes, that's right, 7 years old. Don't know many 7 year olds I trust the keys to my house with, much less the keys to a kingdom. But we're told in 2 Chronicles 24:2

Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years of Jehoiada the priest.

Way to go Joash! That's huge, because at the time not many leaders and certainly not his father, Ahaziaha, were pursuing God. But there's a hitch in the verse. Read it again and see if you find it. Did you? Check the last part, . . ."all the years of Jehoiada the priest." That's the commentary on Joash's life. When Johoiada passed away everything in Joash's life and the kingdom of Judah went to hell in a hand basket.

Without someone in his life to help him stay focused Joash began running with the devil. He began listening to the wrong people. He allowed the people to worship idols again. What he tore down at the beginning of his life he allowed at the end. And God saw everything. And in the end God removed His hand from the Joash and Judah and they were given over to the Arameans. . .the enemy. Joash wasn't even buried in the tomb of the kings.

Here's a couple of take aways from Joash's life:

1. It's not how you begin, it's how you finish - Joash, like a lot of us start out strong, but falter in the end.
2. It's easy to get distracted when you don't have someone in your life to keep you focused.

So. . .how are you running the race. Are you like Paul who is striving to finish strong, maybe you're stumbling a bit, or you've gone completely off track. It's ok. Yeah, you might have to make some adjustments, but that's what God's forgiveness and restoration is about. He wants to help you.

Maybe, you just need a couple of people in your life to help you stay focused on the right race. Pray. . .ask God to put 1, 2, or 3 people in your life who love you enough to ask the hard questions.

Whatever you do, don't take up running with the devil. Take it from someone who's done just that. It's not worth it.

Gotta go. Honey. . .where's my red spandex pants and bandannas. . .and can I borrow some hairspray?!
Mike