I love hymns. I find the message and scripture incorporated into them strengthens my faith, convicts me of sin, and encourages my spirit. Many of the greatest hymns of all time were born out of very difficult circumstances in the lives of the authors. The song “It is Well With My Soul” has a story behind it that touches my heart.
Horatio Spafford was a well-known Christian lawyer in Chicago in the mid to late 1800s. He owned much real estate in the city and had dedicated his wealth and heart completely to the Lord. In the great fire that ravaged Chicago in 1871 most of his real estate burned to the ground. He involved himself in D.L. Moody’s North Side Tabernacle helping other people who had lost everything. However, two years after the fire, schools in Chicago still had not been rebuilt. He decided he would take his family to England where his children could go to school and not fall behind in their education. Just before they were about to leave America a last-minute business development caused Mr. Spafford to stay back in Chicago. He sent his wife and children ahead to England, promising to join them as soon as he could. Mid-ocean there was a collision with their ship and an English sailing ship. The ship sank and all four of the Spafford’s children drowned. Mrs. Spafford sent her husband a message in Chicago when she reached England, it read, “Saved alone.” Mr. Spafford was devastated, but even in his overwhelming grief he knew that God was faithful and that He would not forsake him. It was in his grief that he penned the words 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.Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.My sin-O the bliss of this glorious thought,
My sin not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O 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.
Factual information for this article was gathered from Al Smith’s Treasury of Hymn Hystories, 1981 by Alfred B. Smith.
For more articles by this blogger, please see:
Leading a Child to Christ in 4 Steps
How to Handle Those Crazy Sunday Mornings