Sing And Make Melody - It Is Well With My Soul

    This week in our 'Singing and Making Melody' series I've selected a hymn that declares a willingness to continue to trust in God no matter what happens in life: "It Is Well With My Soul" written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873

    Horatio Spafford was a prominent American lawyer who, invested in significant properties in Chicago in the 1860s, and then lost a sizable amount of his investment in the Great Fire of Chicago of 1871.

    Two years later, wanting to take a family vacation in Europe, knowing his preacher friend, Dwight L. Moody, would be preaching in England in the Fall, planned the trip accordingly. Due to business demands Spafford sent his wife, Anna, and their four daughters, Anna "Annie" (11), Margaret Lee "Maggie" (9), Elizabeth "Bessie" (5), and Tanetta (2), ahead of him, planning on joining them a short time later.

    On November 22, 1873, while sailing across the Atlantic, an iron sailing vessel struck the ship Anna and her daughters were on. 226 people lost their lives, including all four of the Spafford children. Anna sent a telegram to Horatio stating, "Saved alone."

    It was while Horatio sailed across the Atlantic himself to be with Anna that he thought of these words; as he followed the same course and traveled over the waters where his daughters perished, this hymn was shaped and written.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll,

Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say,

"It is well, it is well, with my soul."

Chorus:
It is well (it is well) with my soul (with my soul),
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate
and hath shed His own blood for my soul. 
[Chorus]

My sin - O the bliss of this glorious tho't! -
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! 
[Chorus]

And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend -
Even so, it is well with my soul.
[Chorus]

(as written in the hymnal, "Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs", Copyright 2012, Sumphonia Productions LLC)

    Could you write a hymn to the Lord after such tragedy?

    Mr. Spafford never turned his back on the Lord. It seems that he leaned on him even more heavily for help and comfort. We can learn much from this!

    Consider these words found in Habakkuk 3:17-19:

"Though the fig tree may not blossom,

nor fruit be on the vines;

Though the labour of the olive may fail,

and the fields yield no food;

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,

and there be no herd in the stalls -

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The LORD God is my strength;

He will make my feet like deer's feet,

And He will make me walk on my high hills."

(NKJV)

    We have a Lord who can sympathize with our struggles and troubles (Hebrews 4:14-15). He tells us to "come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). This is a true statement - a real promise of help!

    Almost nine years ago, I lost my Mom very suddenly (of a heart attack), she was only 65 years old and had just had a clean bill of health from her cardiologist. But on a Sunday afternoon in late April, after worshiping with the brethren and going out to lunch with a few of them, my Dad & Mom returned home. My Mom went into the house, walked to the fridge to put the bottle of communion juice away, turned to put her slippers on and collapsed, never to open her eyes in this world again.

    Within a couple hours of this happening, we arrived home (we live four hours south of my parents), and were met by my Aunt & Uncle and cousin, who accepted the role of bearing the heartbreaking news to my family (and my siblings).

    I went with my husband and daughters to worship service that evening and was embraced by my spiritual family there (the church is a wonderful blessing from God!) and spent most of rest of the night praying to God.

    I asked Him to help our family, to help and be near my Dad who was 4 hours away, in the house by himself, in shock at the loss of his wife of 47 years. I praised God for the blessing of my Mom - I had her for 41 years - I am blessed! I thanked Him for her love and gentleness and her example in following Him in her walk as a Christian. He blessed me with moments of sleep and when I would wake I would again ask for help, praise Him, and thank Him.

    Through Him, Mom had hope. Through Him, I have hope. I will one day stand again, shoulder to shoulder with my Mom as we, together, join with all the others who have 'gone on', to sing God's praises!

    I, and my family, faced the next several days with a peace that was indescribable! That's what the peace of God is - see Philippians 4:6-7 - it surpasses understanding and it guarded our hearts and minds!!

    Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!! 

    God's promises are REAL!! He is faithful to keep them!! Never turn from Him! Always, and with all your being, turn to Him!! Lean on Him, receive help, comfort, peace, grace, and mercy from Him in your time of need!

    Think on Habakkuk 3:17-19 today. Thank God for His faithfulness! Thank Him for His care and provision in good times and bad! Sing the song selected for this week with understanding. Declare for yourself that, no matter what happens in this life, because you wholly trust in God "It Is Well With Your Soul."

You can do it! So can I!!