# Confidence explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

The poem expresses unwavering confidence in God's promises despite doubts and sins, attributing doubts to Satan's suggestions and relying on Christ's intercession and forgiveness.

## Themes in this chapter

### Faith and Trust in Christ

The speaker's confidence is rooted in God's promise and Christ's intercession, despite personal sin and doubt.

### Spiritual Warfare

Doubts are portrayed as Satan's sly suggestions, which the believer must resist by relying on God's promise.

## Character check-ins

### God

The speaker relies on God's promise and character, acknowledging His strength and truthfulness.

### Satan

Satan is identified as the source of sly suggestions and doubts that assault the believer's hope.

### Jesus Christ

The speaker confides in Christ's intercession and death as the basis for forgiveness and plea.

### The Narrator

The speaker expresses personal confidence, acknowledges past sin, and resolves to trust in God's promise.

## Key lines

> Yes! since God himself has said it, On the promise I rely; His good word demands my credit, What can unbelief reply; He is strong, and can fulfill; He is truth, and therefore will.

Because God has spoken, I trust His promise; His character guarantees He will do what He says, so unbelief has no answer.

_The speaker grounds confidence in God's veracity and power._

> As to all the doubts and questions Which my spirit often grieve, These are Satan’s sly suggestions, And I need no answer give.

The doubts that trouble me are from Satan, and I don't need to engage with them; the promise upholds my hope.

_Doubts are external attacks, not truths to be entertained._

> Sure the Lord thus far has brought me By his watchful tender care; Sure ’tis he himself has taught me How to seek his face by pray’r: After so much mercy past, Will he give me up at last?

God has guided me and taught me to pray; after all His past mercy, He will not abandon me now.

_Past faithfulness is evidence of future perseverance._

> True, I’ve been a foolish creature, And have sinn’d against his grace! But forgiveness is his nature, Though he justly hides his face; Ere he call’d me, well he knew What a heart like mine would do.

I admit my sin, but God's nature is to forgive; He knew my weakness before He called me.

_Sin does not negate God's forgiving character._

> In my Saviour’s intercession Therefore I will still confide; Lord, accept my free confession, I have sinn’d but thou hast died: This is all I have to plead, This is all the plea I need.

I trust in Christ's intercession; I confess my sin, but His death is my only and sufficient plea.

_Christ's atonement is the sole basis for acceptance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/52-confidence
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters