My Soul Is Well

Horatio G. Spafford was a lawyer, an investor, and a follower of Christ who

suffered many tragedies in his life. Spafford’s son (also named Horatio)

died of scarlet fever at age four. And in October of 1871, the Great

Chicago Fire destroyed all his investments along Lake Michigan.

Two years later, in 1873, Horatio thought it would be a good idea to travel

with his family to England, where their friend D. L. Moody was holding

rallies. Unfortunately, Horatio had to stay in Chicago to attend to some

business matters, but he sent his wife, Anna, and their four daughters

(Annie, Maggie, Bessie, and Tanetta) on ahead, promising to follow in a few

days.

Horatio’s wife and daughters sailed on the SS Ville du Havre. During the

voyage, on November 21, the SS Ville du Havre was hit by an iron sailing

vessel and sank within twelve minutes, killing 226 people. When the

survivors landed in Europe, Mrs. Spafford sent a telegraph to her husband

that began with the words, Saved alone. After he received the telegraph,

Horatio sailed to meet her in England at once.

Horatio had asked the captain to tell him when they were near the spot

where the SS Ville du Havre sank. When they were over the area where his

daughters drowned, Horatio said these words: When peace like a river

attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou

hast taught me to say: It is well, it is well with my soul.

These are the words of his famous hymn It Is Well with My Soul. Horatio

wrote the hymn while on board the ship. In the midst of his pain, Horatio

trusted Jesus to hold his four daughters in His loving arms. And Jesus was

holding Horatio too. Sarah Jordan

Because sin has entered the world, terrible things like death, suffering,

and brokenness exist everywhere. This is why Jesus came. Through His death

and resurrection, Jesus covered the payment for our sin and defeated Satan,

sin, and death. One day, He will return to get rid of all suffering

forever. In the meantime,

if you have put your trust in Jesus, He lives in you through the Holy

Spirit, weeping with you and comforting you in hard times. How might these

truths affect the way we walk through suffering?

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,

neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor

depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from

the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Psalm 13; Romans 8:18-Romans 8:39