It is well with my soul ( Chris Rice )

(click link for video of the song)

I came across this song in a previous church service and I have always felt this nudge in my heart to share this with my readers.

Many of us have experienced painful losses. Some have already moved past the pain and came out of it stronger and better. But there are others who are still in that season and I believe this song would help them get a sense of comfort knowing that God is in control and that He sees each and every tear that falls in our eyes. Yes, God knows your pain and He will deliver you from it in His own time, in His own pace.

The author of the lyrics, Horatio Spafford was a 43-year old lawyer who lived with his wife Anna and their four daughters in the north suburb of Chicago. In 1871, a great fire burned Spafford’s real estate investment and he lost his entire life savings. Two years later, Spafford and his family decided to take a vacation to Europe. However, Spafford was not able to join them because of his busy business schedule. He sent his wife and four daughters to Europe onboard the ship S.S. Ville du Havre and promised to follow them in the days to come. The ship was struck by an iron sailing vessel on November 22, 1873 and it sank in 12 minutes killing 226 people including Spafford’s four daughters. His wife, Anna, sent him a message through cable: saved alone. What shall I do?”

Spafford immediately left Chicago to fetch his wife and bring her home.

Overcome with sadness, as Spafford was sailing near the place where his daughters died, he wrote the lyrics to the hymn ‘It is well with my soul’.

“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.”

“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.”

Despite their loss, in 1881 they settled in Jerusalem and were able to share the gospel with the local Muslim and Jewish residents.

Spafford’s story just reminded me of what the great author A.W. Tozer wrote: “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.”

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.2 Corinthians 12:9(NIV)