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The writer of the words to this cherished
hymn suffered much to reach the poignant conclusion that all was well with his
soul. Horatio Spafford lost his Chicago
business, his children drowned and all life seemed suddenly robbed of its
beauty. It was here in the midst of such
darkness and pain that he wrote the words, “When peace like a river attendeth
my way…” What causes a soul to find such solace in the Lord when all is not
well?
I have sat down with many people who have
every human right to simply fall apart and often I feel that I have nothing
to offer. Even if I have experienced as
much or more pain in my own life, it doesn’t help them in the least. So where is the peace? Where is the strength? It is found in the fundamental element that
moves all believers from the first step of salvation to the grave… faith.
“Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say,
it is well, it is well with my soul.”
This phrase reminds me of a prayer I once heard from a lonely Man who was in the depths
of pain, “Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you.
Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36). Faith knows that my present pain is not the
entire picture. Faith trusts that God
sees what I do not. Faith says that, “In
everything I’ll give thanks” (1 Thes. 5:18), because I know there is a
conclusion that will glorify God. Faith
knows that “All things work together for the good” (Rom. 8:28), even though all
things themselves are not good. Faith is
simply a matter of trusting God with my situation regardless of how I
feel. Can we honestly say, “Your kingdom
come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”
(Matt 6:10), even in the
hard times? That is faith.
The story surrounding Horatio writing It is
Well, is well known. I heard, however, that later in life he had a
very hard time emotionally. We are so
accustomed to seeing the hero in an hour-and-a-half motion
picture format that we rarely consider that the road of faith is a long
haul. I Consider the great prophet Elijah,
fresh from dynamic ministry withdrawing to the mountains in depression,
questioning God and doing nothing but eating and sleeping (1 Kings
19:1-15). Every disciple of Jesus Christ
knows exactly what that feels like. But
don’t forget that even as Elijah worked through the pains of life, God Himself
ministered to the needs of both his body and his heart. It is there in the midst of the pain and the
presence of the Lord that we can say with all of our hearts… “It is well.”
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and
certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1
It is Well
Words by: Horatio G. Spafford
When peace like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, You have taught me to say
It is well, It is well with my soul
It is well, It is well,
with my soul, with my soul
It is well, It is well,
with my soul, with my soul
My sin, oh the joy of this glorious thought
My sin not in part but the whole
Was nailed to the cross and I bear it no more
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Oh my soul
It is well, It is well,
with my soul, with my soul
It is well, It is well,
with my soul, with my soul
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