Horatio Spafford was a successful attorney and real estate investor. In 1871, he lost a fortune in the great Chicago fire, and suffered the death of his 4-year-old son through scarlet fever.
Thinking a vacation would do his family good, he sent his wife and four daughters ahead of him on a ship to England. While crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship collided and sunk. Many lost their lives, including all four of his daughters. His wife, Anna, survived the tragedy and sent a telegram: “Saved alone. What shall I do?”
Horatio immediately set sail for England. During his voyage, the captain of the ship summoned Horatio to tell him the spot where the shipwreck had occurred. As Horatio thought about his daughters, words of comfort and hope filled his heart and mind. He wrote them down, and they have since become a well-beloved hymn:1
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.2
Granted, most of what we are going through are merely the consequences of our decisions; but often, not really. The reality is that we are not in control as much as we would want to delude ourselves. There is a higher being that has purposed something greater and has assigned each of us a particular role within the body. That process of being set apart is like being stewed in a low-heat-crockpot. Little by little God is preparing us; and his methods are always, if not, initially painful. Truth hurts. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind3—shaving off negative attitudes, exposing false notions, brandishing selfish desires, excising bad habits, uprooting unhealthy relationships. During such excruciating moments the least we need is a reason but a revelation!
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.4
Be in faith. Opportunity comes through the adversity that you go out from.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, . . . And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.5
Should you be going through some difficulty (if not, wait for it; it will have to happen), rather than sulk in misery, rejoice in joyful expectation for the great mission assigned for you. We are merely passing through . . .6
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”7
Notes:
1. The Tabernacle Choir Blog, “The Heartbreaking Story Behind “It Is Well with My Soul,” April 10, 2018
2. “It Is Well with My Soul,” reproduction of the original manuscript, spaffordhymn.com
3. Romans 12:2
4. Romans 12:12
5. Romans 8:28-30
6. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
7. Revelations 21:3-4
8. Illustration: “The Sinking of the Steamship Ville du Havre” by Currier & Ives, c. 1873. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.
Stay the course…keep the Faith….Trust in the Lord!
Great article brother! God bless!