I want to thank Tina and Edwina for bringing music to our Covenant messages, that has been a real inspiration for our Covenant family to read and hear the music as an important part of His Word!! Even Carl has gotten into it, adding some music to his recent message. Hearing those songs has opened my heart to hearing more Christian songs as well during my day, and one of my favorites has been dominant lately, “It is Well With My Soul”.
We all know the story of the author Horatio Stafford, a devout Christian and very successful businessman in Chicago in the latter 19th century. He had a wife, a son and four daughters, and seemed to have an idealic and blessed life. Then his son died and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed his entire business operation. A few years later his four daughters were also killed when a ship taking them and his wife to Europe was struck by another ship and sank. On his trip to Europe to meet his wife who survived the sinking of the ship, he penned these words as he passed near the location of the accident.
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
REFRAIN: It is well (it is well)
It is well, it is well with my soul
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 REFRAIN
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 REFRAIN
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.
REFRAIN
To hear this song sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir :
Spafford has been described as a modern day Job, as a faithful man who had it all – love, family, a thriving business, good friends, and a loving God. But faith, no matter how great, does not spare us from adversity. In a short period of time, his world came crashing down around him.
What was his reaction to the latest catastrophe to befall him – the loss of his four daughters? What did he do as he passed close by the location where they met their death? Did he become angry and blame God? His reaction at that moment was to pen the words to one of the most beloved Christian songs, at the time and place of his latest heartbreak over the loss of his remaining children.
It’s incredible to think such encouraging and uplifting words were born from the depths of such unimaginable sorrow. It’s an example of truly inspiring faith and trust in the Lord. And it goes to show the power our God has to overcome even the darkest times of our earthly life.
Famous hymn composer, Philip Bliss, was so moved by Horatio’s prose, that he composed a peaceful tune to accompany the words. The song was published by in 1876 and has lived on to inspire others who have endured unimaginable losses in their lives.
As we endure the current coronavirus disaster in our lives, who knows what additional family, job, and health concerns may be weighing us down as well. However, always know that God is with us as He was with Stafford at his time of need and that He will see us through any storm that we may encounter!
Let us pray:
Most Gracious Heavenly Father:
Thank you for the presence of your peace and comfort in our lives as we struggle with the daily burdens, and then especially as we experience those trials that truly test our faith. May we be steeled with the peace and comfort that Horatio Stafford felt as he wrote these words and may we always wear your love and grace and gratitude on our sleeves as we go about our day, no matter the circumstances of that day. Because we know “God is good……..all the time, all the time….. God is good”. Amen