My Soul Is Well

READ: PSALM 13; ROMANS 8:18-39

Horatio G. Spafford was a lawyer, an investor, and a follower of Christ who suffered many tragedies in his life. Spafford’s son (also named Horatio) died of scarlet fever at age four. And in October of 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed all his investments along Lake Michigan.

Two years later, in 1873, Horatio thought it would be a good idea to travel with his family to England, where their friend D. L. Moody was holding rallies. Unfortunately, Horatio had to stay in Chicago to attend to some business matters, but he sent his wife, Anna, and their four daughters (Annie, Maggie, Bessie, and Tanetta) on ahead, promising to follow in a few days.

Horatio’s wife and daughters sailed on the SS Ville du Havre. During the voyage, on November 21, the SS Ville du Havre was hit by an iron sailing vessel and sank within twelve minutes, killing 226 people. When the survivors landed in Europe, Mrs. Spafford sent a telegraph to her husband that began with the words, ”Saved alone.” After he received the telegraph, Horatio sailed to meet her in England at once.

Horatio had asked the captain to tell him when they were near the spot where the SS Ville du Havre sank. When they were over the area where his daughters drowned, Horatio said these words: “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.”

These are the words of his famous hymn “It Is Well with My Soul.” Horatio wrote the hymn while on board the ship. In the midst of his pain, Horatio trusted Jesus to hold his four daughters in His loving arms. And Jesus was holding Horatio too. • Sarah Jordan

• Because sin has entered the world, terrible things like death, suffering, and brokenness exist everywhere. This is why Jesus came. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus covered the payment for our sin and defeated Satan, sin, and death. One day, He will return to get rid of all suffering forever. In the meantime, if you have put your trust in Jesus, He lives in you through the Holy Spirit, weeping with you and comforting you in hard times. How might these truths affect the way we walk through suffering?

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)