With each passing day, life seems to present more and more challenges for everyone. Lately, we are all facing various types of difficulties: illness or death in the family, relationship problems, financial crises, and uncertainties about the future. The world seems to be spinning out of control and entering a major crisis. Through prophecies, we know that we are truly on the brink of the great crisis, the final crisis of this world.

A little before His final crisis, Jesus spoke with His disciples about this great crisis that we would have to face in the last days. He wanted them to be certain that despite all difficulties, God would not abandon them.

At that moment, He knew that He Himself would be abandoned by everyone, and His only comfort was the certainty that His Father would not abandon Him. In John 16:32 He declared:… You will leave me alone. But I am not alone, for my Father is with me.”

The certainty of the Father's presence is the only certainty we need to have when facing crises in our lives. And reflecting on this, I couldn't help but remember an incident that happened to me and my father many years ago.

I was approximately 16 years old. My family was going through a major financial crisis and other difficulties that families with teenage children usually face. My parents decided to move to the United States, where we had lived before, in search of a solution to our problems.

My mother and siblings had already traveled. My father had stayed behind to finish the move, and I was with him, as I would remain in Brazil studying at a boarding school. We took one last business trip and were now returning to my aunt's house, from where he would travel to the USA and where I would stay until classes started.

During the trip, coming from inland São Paulo, one of the trains was delayed, and we ended up arriving at the last city before our final destination already at night. We were supposed to take a bus there that would take us to the city where my aunt lived. The problem was that the last bus had already left, and now we would have to wait for the first bus the next morning.

Normally, we would have gone to a hotel for the night, but on that occasion, with everything going on in our lives, my father didn't have enough money for hotel expenses and the bus fare the next morning. The only option would be to spend the night at the bus station.

What we didn't know was that, being such a small town with little bus traffic, the bus station closed at night. What was left for us then was to spend the night on a bench in the small square in front of the bus station.

I clearly remember my father looking for the bench closest to a lamppost, to ensure we would be in a brighter and safer spot. We arranged our luggage around us, ate something we had brought, and then I lay down, resting my head on his lap to try and sleep.

I was frustrated that we didn't have the means to go to a hotel, but I didn't have the courage to express my frustration. I saw the anguish in my father's eyes, for not being able to provide a better solution for that situation. However, he encouraged me by reminding me that all of it would pass, as we were moving to the land of opportunity. He assured me that the night would soon end and everything would be fine the next morning.

We spent the night there. I tried to sleep, and he tried to stay awake to protect us from any nocturnal danger. That was a long night of much reflection for a teenager trying to understand life. But it was also a peaceful night, knowing that my father was there, awake, looking after me.

The next morning, as the sun rose, I felt a great peace in my heart, knowing that we would soon reach our final destination. And it was with great joy that we boarded that bus and fell into a deep sleep during the journey to our destination.

Friend, the circumstances surrounding us may be desperate right now, but don't forget, no matter how it seems, we are never alone, for the Father is with us. “...He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:3, 4 (NIV).

He who does not sleep …. made a great sacrifice to ensure that the morning of light will come for us. He will always be awake to make sure that we are safe during the night. Therefore, rest. Rest in His loving embrace because the Father takes care of us.

Rute Bazan

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