It Is Well with My Soul

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Hymn 163: It is well with my soul. A hymn that we have all grown to love; a hymn which provokes our hearts to reflect on our relationship with God – at times of dire adversary, when Satan buffets and trials come and we go through many of life’s difficulties, are our souls at peace? Do we have the utmost trust in God? Is it well with our soul?

The composer was a faithful man. Horatio Spafford (1828-1888) was a devout Christian and an incredibly wealthy lawyer with a beautiful home, a beautiful wife and a beautiful family with four daughters and a son.

When his career was at its most successful and his financial status at its peak, Horatio and his wife tragically lost their son. In the same year, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed all the real estate and possessions that he had accumulated.

Two years later, Horatio planned a voyage to Europe for his family. However, unexpected last minute business came up so he sent his wife and daughters ahead whilst he remained behind in Chicago. A few days later, he received a telegram from his wife saying: ‘Saved alone’. The ship on which his family was on had sunk – all four of his daughters drowned; only his wife had survived.

With a heavy heart, he set off to Europe to bring his wife home back to Chicago. Whilst sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, the captain of the ship informed Horatio that they were passing over the site where his daughters had drowned. That night, alone in his cabin Horatio Spafford penned ‘It is well with my soul’.

Horatio didn’t question what had happened to him and he kept his faith in God. The story of Horatio brings to mind the story of Job. He was a righteous and upright man who loved God dearly. He was rich; he had many possessions, a very large household with seven sons and three daughters. He was even described as the greatest of all the people of the East. Eventually we find that he lost everything. Everything was taken away from him – all his children, his property, even his health.

However, just like Horatio, Job’s reaction to the difficulty showed that he feared God and indeed had a close relationship with God.

Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:20-21)

It was true that he mourned – trials and adversaries are difficult; sometimes it pushes us right to the edge of our physical, psychological and emotional limits. However, we find Job also understood that everything came from God, and he continued to worship God. His faith didn’t falter, he didn’t question God. He upheld his righteousness that he didn’t sin nor blame God.

Today, life is difficult. We are facing an increasingly demanding society with depreciating morals. If we are to uphold our status as children of God, we will face many hardships, trials and adversaries. Like Horatio and Job, we may be tested within an inch of our limit – we may lose everything we have: our money, our materialistic belongings, our family, the love of our life, our health, our jobs, our careers. Adversary may go even further than this: we may face opposition, false accusations, or even threats because of our faith.

But just like Horatio and Job, we shouldn’t question nor blame God when these happen, but rather uphold our righteousness and keep the peace which He has given us. If one is cultivated, he will be able to transcend adversaries and simply trust God. God is a faithful God – He will not allow us to go through things which we cannot bear.

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Cor 10:13)

Therefore, today if we do face difficulties, perhaps not as extreme as Horatio and Job, we should nevertheless do our upmost to keep the faith and trust in God. God is a faithful God – let it be well with our souls.

Shalom

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