"It Is Well with My Soul" is a beautiful song written in 1873 by Horatio Spafford. The history of this hymn is absolutely incredible. Horatio was a wealthy attorney in Chicago. He was invested heavily in real estate and when the Chicago fire swept through the city he lost a fortune. Around the same time his four year old child died of scarlet fever. Scarlet fever is a form of strep and historically was very deadly. Generally children four to eight acquired scarlet fever.
Because of their rough go of it Horace thought he would take his family, which consisted of a wife and four daughters, on a vacation to Europe. He was going to visit some evangelistic meetings. I would guess his family was very excited about this given their recent misfortunes. The family was booked to travel on a luxurious ocean liner. At the last minute business called Horace to stay in New York City. He sent his family on ahead as to not hinder their vacation.
While on the open seas the luxury vessel collided with another ship. When I read this I pictured the scenes from the movie Titanic. The cold water probably crashed through the beautiful passenger rooms. My imagination cannot even picture the terror. 226 people died that night and 47 survived. Horace's wife, Anna, was found in the water clinging to a piece of wreckage. Anna sent a message from England to her husband in New York that said, "Saved alone."
Horace booked himself on another ship to head immediately to England to be with Anna. What do you think he thought when he heard that the luxury liner sunk? I bet he thought that maybe, just maybe his family survived. After all 47 people made it safely to England. During the night the captain called Horace to his side and explained they were now passing over the location where his children perished. Horace went back to his room and was not able to sleep. He said to himself, "It is well; the will of God be done." He later wrote the hymn "It is Well with My Soul" based on the words he spoke to himself that lonely and cold night.
The Spaffords went on to have three more children. One of the children died in infancy. When the other two daughters were very small the Spaffords sailed for Israel. In Jerusalem they founded a mission called The American Colony. This mission helped serve the poor. Later the mission became the subject of a Noble Prize winning book titled Jerusalem.
After reading about Horatio's story the first thought that came to mind was that after all the heartache he continued to serve God. I will promise you that he and Anna had moments of shaking their fists at God and asking the obvious "why" question. God wants us to pour our hearts out to him. He already knows we are hurting so why sugar-coat it to Him. I admire my dear friend Linda so much for being real with God. With a reverential heart she tells God what is going on inside her. She has taught me to simply be real with God. Horace and Anna are so incredibly inspirational for their continued devotion to God despite the tragedy they experienced. They could freely reach out to the hurting in Jerusalem because they themselves hurt. I promise you they had tremendous compassion for those they helped.
"Your will be done" is one of the hardest things to say to the Lord. We have all prayed the Lord's Prayer, but do we REALLY know what we are saying. "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" are powerful words and should not be uttered will-nilly. Do I desire God's will over my own? Not always. God's will isn't always sunshine and lollipops. Ask Jesus. It is, however, the best plan. Let me be the first to say I don't get it all. Why did all Horace's children die? Why did those men set off bombs in Boston? Why do earthquakes come? Why did my mom die an awful death from cancer? Why does abortion exist? Why, why, why?!?!?! I have no idea why God allows things. We can all learn from the Spaffords. We can all be victorious. Our circumstances will never be perfect. In this life there will be trouble. Jesus said this himself in John 16:33. Overcoming our trials doesn't always mean the trial ends. Often it means we find a way to be victorious despite the trial. We pick ourselves up after being knocked down and seek God's face. The Spafford's sought God despite their pain and God, no doubtingly, used them to further His Kingdom in Jerusalem.
John 16:33) "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
On a side note, I remember my mom saying several times that she wanted "It Is Well with My Soul" played at her funeral. There is just something so profound about that request. I'll let you read the words to the hymn now.
- 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.
- Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
- Refrain:
- Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul. - My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
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! - For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul. - But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul! - And Lord, haste the day when my 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.
