Is it well?

Have you ever heard of a man by the name of Horatio Spafford? 

--Maybe, but probably not. 

He lived back in the 1800's in Chicago.

He was a successful and lawyer, he had a beautiful home, a wife, four daughters and a son. He was also a devout Christian and faithful student of the Scriptures. In 1871, there was the Great Chicago Fire…one of the greatest disasters of their time (similar to how Hurricane Katrina and the Joplin tornado were major disasters in our time). Many people lost all their possessions. Worse, Horatio Spafford’s son had died of scarlet fever at the age of 4, just prior to the Chicago Fire, where they also lost nearly all of their possessions.

It was around that time that Mr. Spafford decided to make a new start, and to move his family overseas. He arranged to sell what was left of his property, and he bought tickets for himself, his wife, and his four daughters.  Spafford, after receiving news of needing to take care of some last minute business, sent his wife and daughters ahead of him while he remained in Chicago.

  

Several days later, Spafford received a telegram. It was signed by his wife. And there were only two words on it. “Saved alone," his family's ship had encountered a collision. All four of his daughters drowned; only his wife had survived.

With a heavy heart, Spafford boarded a boat that would take him to his grieving wife in Europe. While he was halfway across the Atlantic, the captain called him to the bridge; He pointed out the exact location that his daughters lost their lives, as they sailed past it.

 

It was then that Spafford wrote the words to a poem:

"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."

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There is one thing that is certain about life, and that is that life is uncertain. 

Sometimes I make plans for my life, and those plans go up in flames. 

BIG. MONSTROUS. VIOLENT. SAVAGE. FLAMES. 

One minute you are might be surrounded by your loved ones. The next moment you may be all alone. 

Sometimes things happen and in a million years, you will never be able to explain it.

It’s easy to say that you have faith in God when things are good. But when things go bad, which they invariably will from time to time, during those moments can you say:

"...whatever my lot, it is well with my soul?"

                  

The question is…how could a man who lost his son, lost his business, lost his four daughters…possible say that things were "well with his soul?"

People all over the world look anywhere and everywhere for peace. Banks and insurance companies say that having money, that’s what brings you peace and security. If you go to a store, you’ll see them sell aromatherapy candles and shampoo and soap that are supposed to bring peace to you. Some say that listening to light music can bring you peace. Or seeing Therapists. Or doing meditation and yoga. 

etc. etc. etc.

But this is all peace as the world gives. These things might bring some temporary relaxation, but they don’t bring peace to the soul. True peace.

True peace only comes from one source.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." - Jesus Christ - John 14:27

In life, sometimes things can get chaotic.

Sometimes you will feel alone. 

Sometimes you will feel afraid. 

In this world we will have trouble. That much  is guaranteed.

But the remarkable thing is, when you really know Christ, you have the blessed assurance that you’re never really truly alone. And because of this you never need to be afraid. Because as chaotic as life gets, He has things under control. He will not leave you alone. He’s already done all he can, by taking your sins away–not because we deserve it, but because of His love. And nothing can separate you from that love. And because of that, when trials come I can say: 

 "even so, it is well, it is well with my soul."

"Though the devil will ruin, though trials may come
Let this blessed assurance control
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate
And He shed His own blood for my soul

It is well, 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, oh my soul"