"See, the days are coming." (Jer 23:5) This phrase is echoed with great hope by the prophet Jeremiah during the exile of the Israelites in a foreign land. He prophesies of the certainty of hope of returning to their homeland. In our own way too, when times are difficult, we should hope in the Lord, and stay strong. The times of desolation will pass away, and the times of consolation will come again. We believe that God journeys with us during challenging times, as well as good times. Yet we know, when the times of consolation have arrived, they will be replaced with desolation again. But even so, we continue to live with hope.

The sureness of salvation came about with the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. The prophecies of old have been fulfilled - the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel, which means God-is-with-us. This sureness of faith continues with us, even after Jesus had been born, lived, died, rose again, and ascended, because God is now present with us in spirit all the time. We only need to be aware of God's presence, and respond to God appropriately. God journeys with us in times of desolation and consolation.