He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. (Mark 1:13)
Son as tha Son took a dip fer Skip tha Holy Spirit of Truth compelled him ter go in ter tha wilderness. This whar not tha first time Skipper or his Spirit give a feller a hard nudge ter send ’em off in ter tha unknown.
Sent Inter the Wild Ter Be Tempted By Satan
Right after Adam and Eve messed up, Skip kicked ’em out of tha Garden. Keep in mind, all manner of animals and wild beasts be roaming about back then. Why, only a few days ‘fore tha pair got tha boot, Adam and Eve whar playing with the lioness and her cubs. But after thar sin, with ’em being on tha outside looking in, that lioness and her cubs whar near ’bout ready ter tear tha couple from limb ter limb.
Such be tha attitude of tha wild things that live under tha curse of sin.
Whilst trapped as slaves in Egypt, Skip commanded his chosen ones ter go in ter tha wild. At first they be excited fer tha adventure, but after a month or more of roaming about, they got ter grumbling and complaining. Had it been put ter a vote, most would ‘ave voted ter return ter thar old lives of slavery. Like with Adam and Eve, Skip fixed it so they not be able ter go back. He sealed off that route when he flooded the Reed Sea.
Better Ter Live Free and Die Than Ne’er Live
Better ter live free and die, than ter die without ne’er living: that be tha abundant life offered by tha Son.
Elijah got sent inter tha wild.
David fled inter tha wild.
Most all of us gets ter spend time in tha wild.
Often in tha wild ya not be knowing whar yer next meal ‘ill come from or if ya ‘ill find water or shelter. In tha wild yer sandals wear out, feet get tuckered out, cloak be turned inside out on account of it so worn its innards be its outards. Worse, in the wild be whar temptations breed.
Tempted By Satan
We be most vulnerable ter Satan’s attacks after a great victory, when we be emotionally and physically tuckered out, isolated, or angry. In the case of the Son, he jest enjoyed praise from his father in heaven. “This is my own dear son with whom I am pleased.”
Right after this the Holy Spirit of Truth sent the Son inter the wild. Isolated, famished from fasting for forty days, no doubt reflecting on the praise from his father the Son might ‘ave reason ter get a bit riled up due ter his circumstances. Victory followed by isolation followed by hunger and fatigue followed by anger. This be when Satan appeared ter the Son.
Only later, after the Son resisted the devil with the Sword of the Spirit—the words of Skipper—did angels attend ter his needs.
Keep a Weather Eye Out fer Trouble and Temptation
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
Be thar a wild trek ya be avoiding? Be thar a wild place yer trying ter escape? Be thar a time of testing ya need ter go through in order to rely on Skipper’s words fer your nourishment, as yer weapon, as his affirming love, as his peace? The Son be our example. In the wild he endured the testing and passed by resisting the devil with faith in the words of Skipper.
If ya be wandering about in a wilderness, know this: Skipper be with ya among tha wild things. He gives us his word and sent The Word ter be our model fer how ter endure. Ter be sure we wish Skip would simply hoist us on ter his back and carry us out of tha wilderness, but most times he wants us ter have more of his strength, more of his stamina, more faith in him and less confidence in our ownselves.
Of this ya kin be sure: getting more of Skip whilst we be in a wild be a right fair trade. And when the time of testing be concluded and we ‘ave passed without givin’ inter temptation, Skip ‘ill be standing thar waiting ter welcome ya back with these words: “This is my own dear child with whom I am pleased.”
If ya feel tha Holy Spirit of Truth nudging ya ter take a hike in ter tha wild, confirm tha call with Skip. Then if confident the wild be yer course, set off without delay.
A feller who sits on his duff and does tha same thing all day ‘ill seldom ‘ave a tale ter tell or faith that won’ fail. Fer that ya ‘ave ter go ter whar tha wild things roam.
Parroting the Prayers of Skip’s Crew
Lord, give me yer strength ter submit ter you. Fer well I know when I do, I kin resist the devil, and he ‘ill ‘ave no choice but ter flee. (James 4:7)
Pirate Fact
Folks from all walks of life came ter be pirates, not jest murdering, lying, thieving, thugs and rascals. Tha pirate William Kidd whar a young lad from a wealthy family who later took up pirating whilst on a mission trip ter hunt pirates. Later he whar executed for piracy. Whilst ya seeking ter root out sin in others careful ya don’ get entangled in it yer self. When tempted by Satan look ter see if yer coming off a victory. If so, watch that ya not fall fer tha thing ya won.
