Hymns With A Message: IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

Sunday, April 15, 2018

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

Probably the most known story of the events behind the writing of a hymn is the story of Horatio Spafford and "It Is Well With My Soul". He penned the words and it was composed by Philip Bliss in 1876. Spafford was a successful lawyer and businessman in Chicago with a lovely family of five children. However, they were not strangers to tears and tragedy. Their young son died with pneumonia in 1871, and in that same year much of their business was lost in the great Chicago fire. Yet God in His mercy and kindness allowed the business to flourish once more. On Nov. 21, 1873, the French ocean liner, Ville du Havre, was crossing the Atlantic from the U.S. to Europe with 313 passengers on board. These included Mrs. Spafford and their four daughters. Although Mr. Spafford had planned to go with his family, he found it necessary to stay in Chicago to help solve an unexpected business problem. He told his wife he would join her and their children in Europe a few days later. About four days into the crossing the Atlantic the liner collided with a Scottish ship and suddenly all of those on board were in grave danger. Anna hurriedly brought her children to the deck and prayed that God would spare them if that could be His will or make them willing to endure whatever awaited them. Within approximately 12 minutes, the liner slipped beneath the dark waters of the Atlantic, carrying with it 226 of the passengers including the four Spafford children. A sailor, rowing a small boat over the spot where the ship went down, spotted a woman floating on a piece of the wreckage. It was Anna, still alive. He pulled her into the boat and they were picked up by another large vessel. Nine days later she wired her husband a message which began, "Saved alone, what shall I do?" Spafford booked passage on the next available ship and left to join his grieving wife. With the ship about four days out, the captain called Spafford to his cabin and told him they were over the place where his children went down. According to Bertha Spafford Vester, a daughter born after the tragedy, Spafford wrote "It Is Well With My Soul" while on this journey. In the centuries since then this hymn has been a great source of comfort and encouragement to millions who have faced sorrows, like sea billows, and have experienced the peace that only our great God can provide. On a personal note, many years ago the mother of my future daughter-in-law testified in church that she had just learned that she needed a second heart valve replacement. She had accepted the bad news with the words "But it is well with my soul!". Shortly after that testimony the Lord suddenly took her home with a heart attack. Those of us who heard her testimony have had a difficult time singing this hymn since then without tears of remembrance. But we thank the Lord that she had this peace and confidence. What about you? Do you know it is well with your soul? Can you face the future with that confidence? "And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, shall keep your hearts, your minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7. Not all hymn books have included all the verses of this great hymn and some have modified some of the words. Verses four and five are seldom included. But I've chosen to list all the verses of this great hymn as originally written, for your encouragement.

1. When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know