It is safe to say that in living life, we cannot avoid trials, misfortunes, heartaches, afflictions, adversities, calamities, catastrophes, or death. Knowing that, we should ask ourselves, “Am I spiritually prepared for any eventuality, and how would I respond to God in any one of those scenarios?”
Horatio Spafford (1828-1888) was a successful Chicago attorney, church elder, and entrepreneur. He and his wife, Anna, and four daughters lived a philanthropic life and served their church. Then in 1871, The Great Chicago Fire wiped out his successful law firm, his law library, his livelihood, and his lucrative real estate investment business.
In 1873, Horatio decided that after suffering such great losses, he would take a two-year sabbatical and travel to England with his wife, their four daughters, the governess, and their dear friends, the Goodwins. He wanted his daughters to enjoy the museums and galleries and to meet the famous Baptist minister, Charles H. Spurgeon. And He looked forward to accompanying evangelist and friend, D.L. Moody on the next crusade.
Plans can change in a millisecond, and Horatio’s plans quickly changed after receiving an urgent message that a business problem required his immediate attention. Not wanting to disappoint his wife and daughters, he encouraged them to sail without him, with the promise that upon concluding business, he would join them in England.
Several days after his family and friends’ were out to sea, Horatio received tragic news. The Ville de Havre was struck by an iron sailing vessel out of England. It sunk within 12 minutes, taking the lives of 226 souls. The day after Horatio received that tragic news, a telegram arrived from his wife, which read, “Survived alone. What shall I do?” Upon that message from his wife, he boarded a ship to join her.
It is difficult to comprehend their losses and the level and magnitude of grief that Horatio and his wife must have suffered. Yet we see faith in action through Anna’s words, “God gave me my four, little daughters; it is He who has taken them from me. He will make me to understand and accept His will.”
With so many tragedies suffered, how was it possible that Horatio did not shake his fist at God and scream, “Why God!!!!” Even Job suffered losses beyond human comprehension. Yet despite all of his suffering and his wife’s and friends’ constant badgering to curse God, he said, “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him” (Job 13:15).
During Horatio’s voyage to join his wife, the captain of the ship called him to the bridge, and said, “A careful reckoning (current position) has been made, and I believe we are now passing the very place where the Ville de Havre sank.” It was during that poignant moment, Horatio looked into the watery grave below and penned the poem that would eventually become the great hymn, “It Is Well with My Soul.” Even though you may have sung this song numerous times, I encourage you to carefully read and digest the full meaning of each word.
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.
It is well
With my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.
My sin, oh, 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.
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Lyrics by Horatio Spafford; music by composer and songwriter, Philip Paul Bliss
What is most interesting about this song is that Horatio did not focus on what He had lost. Rather, he focused on the hope that he had in Christ to sustain and carry him through his grief. We see his grounded faith in a letter he had written to Anna’s half-sister Rachel:
“On Thursday last, we passed over the spot where [the ship] went down in mid ocean, the water being three miles deep. But I do not think of our dear ones there. They are safe, folded, the dear lambs, and there, before very long, we shall be, too. In the meantime, thanks to God, we have an opportunity to serve and praise Him for His love and mercy to us and ours. ‘I will praise Him while I have my being.’ May we each one arise, leave all, and follow Him.”
Years later, they had two more daughters and a son. But tragedy struck again when their son died from Scarlett Fever at age three. They then relocated to Jerusalem where they created the American Colony, a philanthropic society that met the needs of the people of Jerusalem through soup kitchens, hospitals, and orphanages.
Horatio and Anna were living testaments to what it means to trust God, believe His many promises, and move forward with Him. One such promise is that “the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10).
When faith is tested, even the strongest Christian can find it difficult to hope. For that reason, whatever life may bring our way, God wants us filled with His Word so that we can trust and not doubt Him. Yes, we have experienced and will continue to enjoy times of joy and successes, but we are also reminded by daily world events that life is very imperfect, fragile, and subject to change. If and when that sudden and unexpected change occurs, will you and I be ready? Will our faith in God sustain us? Will the words, “It is well with my soul” be upon our lips?
PRAYER: FATHER, thank you for sending Your Son, the sinless Christ, who willingly became the propitiation for my sins and for all who accept and believe that He came into this world to redeem the lost. May I always hope and believe in Your promises, for “those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31). May my hope, faith, and trust always be in You and Your Word, so that I will be able to say in all circumstances, “It is well with my soul.” In Jesus’ name, amen.