# The Power and Triumph of Faith explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

This chapter celebrates the power of faith in God, using the examples of Daniel and his companions to illustrate how trust in the Lord enables believers to face persecution, threats, and trials without fear. It contrasts their boldness with our own tendency to shrink when trials appear, and encourages a deeper, more genuine belief in God's protective power.

## Themes in this chapter

### Faith and Trust in Christ

The central theme, highlighting how trust in God's word and power enables believers to perform wondrous acts and face persecution without fear.

### Divine Providence and Guidance

The chapter emphasizes God's active protection and deliverance of his faithful servants, taming lions and shielding them from fire, showing his sovereign care.

## Character check-ins

### Daniel

Portrayed as a model of unwavering faith, who continued to pray to God despite a royal decree, trusting in divine protection from the lions' den.

### The Lord

Described as a 'mighty shield and tower' and the source of power who guards those who trust in his name, able to tame lions and protect from fire.

### The Narrator

The speaker reflects on the examples of faith and confesses a personal tendency to shrink when trials are in view, expressing a desire for stronger belief.

## Key lines

> The haughty king in vain, With fury on his brow, Believers would constrain To golden gods to bow: The furnace could not make them fear, Because they knew the Lord was near.

The proud king's angry attempts to force believers to worship idols were futile; they were unafraid of the fiery furnace because they were confident of God's presence.

_This stanza references the event of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being thrown into the furnace for refusing to bow to a golden image._

> As vain was the decree Which charged them not to pray: Daniel still bow’d his knee, And worshipp’d thrice a day. Trusting in God, he fear’d not men, Though threaten’d with the lions’ den.

The law forbidding prayer was also ineffective, as Daniel continued his daily practice of worship. His trust in God gave him courage to defy the king's threat of the lions' den.

_This stanza directly references Daniel's defiance of the royal decree and his continued prayer to God._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/73-the-power-and-triumph-of-faith
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters