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“If God has withdrawn His presence from you then get alone with Him and plead with Him to restore the joy of your salvation. If there is anything “in between” deal with it and get it out of the way. What ever you do, don’t build your own fires with the energy of the flesh. Don’t walk in a flesh-created enthusiasm that evaporates like dew the next morning.
I remember hearing a story that helped me illustrate assurance.
A farmer had to go to town for supplies. He discovered the river had frozen over, then there was a quick thaw and the large chunks of ice had pushed the bridge down. It had again gotten cold and the river was frozen solid but the man was afraid the ice might not be thick enough to support him. He decided to get down on his hands and knees so his weight would be distributed over four different points. He slowly crawled across the river saying, “I hope I make it! I hope I make it!” He pulled himself up on the bank and said, “I made it!”
A neighbor came by and drove across the river in his horse and buggy without the ice cracking an inch. The farmer was so angry at himself that when he came back from town he stomped on the ice as hard he could all the way across the ice.
The question is this: Which time was the man the safest? When he had his weight distributed on four points and he was scared to death, or when he was stomping his feet in full assurance of his safety? If you say, that is a dumb question, you are correct. The man was just as safe both times! His safety had nothing to do with his faith but was dependent upon the thickness of the ice. You may believe with all your heart that the ice is thick enough to hold you, but if it is not thick enough you better know how to swim. Likewise, you can have a near heart attack as you carefully crawl across the ice, but if the ice is thick enough, all your fear is needless.
It is not either our faith or the strength of our faith that saves us. It is Christ alone. The Gospel of John examines the ice (Christ) and says, “Sinner, He is able to save and keep you. Trust him! Walk on the ice” ~John Reisinger. Read the full article on links:
The Doctrine of Assurance – One
The Doctrine of Assurance – Two
The Doctrine of Assurance – Three.