Craig Clouston

 Into Satan’s Domain

April 13

On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. For unto us a child is born.

Isaiah 9:2, 6

There had been no end to the frustration and struggles Rena had endured. It seemed like the deck had been stacked against her from birth. Born two months premature to a drug-addicted mother who couldn’t support her, she’d been in and out of foster care until the age of twelve and had finally found a permanent home with the Donaldsons.

Rena, who suffered with subdued mental acuity, had struggled in the school’s special needs class. She couldn’t seem to make the pieces of the puzzle fit. The Donaldsons prayed that before the next school year something would break in their daughter’s favor.

When next year arrived, Mom led Rena into her new classroom. They were greeted by bright colors and life-size animated figures pasted on every wall in the room. On the chalkboard was a pastel rainbow arching over the words, “Welcome to Miss Jenny’s Classroom!” Rena pulled Mom down to her level and exclaimed, “I like this place, Mommy! Can we stay awhile?”

Miss Jenny greeted them with a bright smile, knelt down, and said, “I’ve been so excited and just couldn’t wait to meet you, Rena. Welcome to my classroom! We’re going to have so much fun!”

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In one brief moment, Rena’s struggles changed. Instead of it being Rena against the world, it became Miss Jenny and Rena in a partnership that could see possibilities for the future. Miss Jenny loved to turn on the lights for those who struggled to understand. She was gifted in discerning a child’s needs and developing a curriculum to meet those needs.

When Jesus entered Satan’s domain over seven hundred years after Isaiah’s prophecy, it was a light-switch event. In one brief moment, Israel had a new teacher; One Who cared about their welfare and future.

Jesus showed them a brighter path that led out of the darkness into His marvelous light. You can hear Him say, “I’ve been so excited and just couldn’t wait to meet you!”

Prayer

“Father of the bright and morning Star, we give thanks for Your precious gift of light and love. Teach us to faithfully follow Jesus’ path through this dark world. Amen.”