The Importance of Hymns: It is Well with My Soul

Scripture: Psalms 40:3 -  He has put a song in my mouth a song of praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.

Hymns are the songs many of a certain age grew up singing. Hymns are many times slow, methodical, and lyrically powerful and typically scripturally based.  Like many songs both religious and secular, they are often birthed from the writer's own life experiences. Hymns were designed to bring congregations together in song for a common purpose and promote unity.

“It is well with my soul” was written by Horatio G. Spafford a successful lawyer and businessman from Chicago. He was a husband and a father of five (four daughters and one son) when tragedy struck. In 1871, Spafford’s four-year-old son died from pneumonia. In that same year, the Great Chicago fired claimed most of his business. Nonetheless, through God’s mercy and kindness his business still flourished.  Two years later, a planned vacation ended in tragedy. While he was handling last minute business his wife and four daughters traveled to Europe (via ship) ahead of him.  Mr. Spafford had planned to join them in Europe a few days later. Sadly, on day four of the voyage the ship that carried Anna Spafford & her children collided with another ship -- an iron hulled Scottish ship to be exact. Their ship sank in 12 minutes but before going under Anna Spafford knelt with her girls and prayed that if it was God’s will that He would spare them or make them willing to endure whatever awaited them. Anna Spafford was rescued alone. Once in England, she sent a wire to her husband that began, “Saved alone, what shall I do?” Mr. Spafford boarded a ship immediately to meet his grieving wife. Four days into the journey, the captain called Spafford to the deck and told him that they were over the spot where his children went down. It was at that time that God placed a song in the mouth of Horatio G. Spafford and he wrote these words:

Sing with me:
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

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

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

Anna Spafford gave birth to three more children, another died of pneumonia at age 4 but the others survived. In 1881, the family moved to Jerusalem. Seven years later Mr. Spafford died in Jerusalem at the age of 60.

In life we all must eventually deal with tragedy or unpleasant situations. As believers we want to be able to be like Horatio Spafford and honestly say, it is well with my soul. However, in reality, many times we cannot. If we are honest, many times we struggle in times of adversity with believing that God’s grace is sufficient. When the storms are raging in our lives we should rest in the Lord (Matthew 11:28-30), we should give our cares to the Lord (1Peter 5:7), we should pray without ceasing and trust the process (1 Thessalonians 5:16) but often we don't. Sometimes, we hold on to life's burdens and allow them to consume us. During trying times, remember that God gives us peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), that God is always in control and that His Grace is indeed sufficient. Matthew 11:28 & 29 say: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. This rest is in the form of peace that will ultimately result in the ability to get physical rest.

Horatio knew this when he wrote the words peace like a river. He realized that despite life’s circumstances that God grants us a type of peace that washes over you like a river. Horatio realized that these life events created sorrows that were similar to the sea's great waves (billows). He also knew that God's grace was sufficient when he penned: Whatever my lot, You have taught me to say, it is well with my soul. Let’s be honest, sometimes, saying that can be a struggle. When sorrow like sea billows roll in your life; you sometimes fail at saying it is well with my soul. Instead, you get angry, you may sulk, and/or you may sin. But thanks be to God that He has a way of reminding us of His grace; reminding us that He is a comforter, and that despite our shortcomings that He is merciful.

Spafford wrote, that although trials come let this blest assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate and shed his own blood for my soul. Christ died for us. Christ died so that we could live, so that we can rest in the assurance of God. Consider,  God Himself  lost a child -- His only Son!  Wow!!! What an awesome God we serve. The Bible tells us that Christ has endured everything we have and did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). He knows and HE understands.  When life's sorrows come like sea billows roll, I pray we can say, it is well with my soul.

Prayer: Lord, it is not easy to accept life's tragedies and disappointments. Some of these events cut us to the core. Please, Lord, forgive us for lashing out at You or others, for turning away from You when circumstances say turn to You. Remind us that Your grace is indeed sufficient and that You will never leave or forsake us. Bring to our remembrance the scriptures, the sermons, the hymns that will make it possible to say it is well, it is well with my soul. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

(by Pat Towns)