# The Effort explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

The speaker encourages his soul to approach the mercy-seat where Jesus answers prayer, acknowledging his own burden of sin and Satan's temptations, and pleading for refuge and faith in Christ's atoning work.

## Themes in this chapter

### Prayer and Dependence on God

The speaker approaches the mercy-seat in prayer, pleading God's promise and seeking rest and refuge.

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

The speaker marvels at the grace that enables faith, exclaiming 'what grace is this!'

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

The speaker addresses his own soul, confessing his burden of sin and seeking refuge in Christ.

### Jesus Christ

Described as the one who answers prayer at the mercy-seat, who wept, bled, died, and now reigns with compassion.

### Satan

Mentioned as the source of fierce temptations pressing the speaker.

### The Lord

Addressed as refuge and hiding-place, the one who gives faith.

## Key lines

> Cheer up, my soul, there is a mercy-seat, Sprinkled with blood, where Jesus answers pray’r;

Take heart, my soul, for there is a place of mercy, made holy by Christ's blood, where Jesus hears and responds to prayer.

_The mercy-seat is a reference to the atonement and the believer's access to God._

> Bow’d down beneath a heavy load of sin, By Satan’s fierce temptations sorely press’d, Beset without, and full of fears within, Trembling and faint, I come to thee for rest.

I am weighed down by my sins, attacked by Satan's temptations, surrounded by dangers and filled with inner fears, so I come to you, weak and shaking, seeking rest.

_The speaker describes the universal struggle with sin and temptation, and the need for divine rest._

> Be thou my refuge, Lord, my hiding-place! I know no force can tear me from thy side; Unmoved I then may all accusers face, And answer every charge with “Jesus died.”

Lord, be my shelter and my safe haven! I am certain that nothing can separate me from you, and with you I can stand against any accuser, replying to every accusation with 'Jesus died for me.'

_The believer's security is found in Christ's death, which answers all charges of sin._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/11-the-effort
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters