Biblical Assurance
Part 4
August 27, 2025
The text argues that God's providence is mysterious and may lead believers through dark seasons that shake their assurance, but God does not abandon his people—withdrawal of felt presence can be purposeful for sanctification—and believers should rely on community, spiritual disciplines, and trust in God's plan for hope and restoration.
Summary
Using David as an example, the text explores how God's providence often operates beyond our understanding and can result in seasons where true believers feel destitute, experience diminished assurance, or temporarily lose assurance of salvation. Such struggles can stem from grievous sin, negligence, or sudden temptation, yet they do not equal loss of justification or adoption. Though God may withdraw the sensible experience of his presence for a time—sometimes to break the power of sin and grow believers—his love and saving work remain; the distinction between felt experience and spiritual reality is crucial. The recommended response is repentance and mutual support in a ‘community of crisis,’ diligent practice of the disciplines of grace, and trust in God as the author of providence, with the confidence that revival and restoration are possible.
Key Points
- David exemplifies how people act differently depending on circumstances and how they interact with God's providence.
- God's reasons and ways of working are mysterious; we should not impose our own explanations on providence.
- True believers can have their assurance shaken, diminished, or temporarily lost without losing justification or adoption.
- Causes of shaken assurance include grievous sin, negligence, and sudden or violent temptation.
- Feeling abandoned or in darkness does not mean God has ceased loving or saving his people—experience can differ from spiritual reality.
- God may purposefully withdraw a sense of his presence to sanctify believers and break the power of sin.
- The Holy Spirit's seed remains in true believers even in dark seasons; some, however, may not come to repentance in this life.
- Pastoral responses should emphasize repentance, the community of crisis, and practicing the disciplines of grace to revive assurance.
- Ultimately, trust in God as the author of providence and hope in his restoring work are central.
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