Most of us as Christians know that our faith in Jesus Christ is enough to overcome the tragedies that, at some time, will affect us. Then again, is our faith that strong?
Many of us will lose earthly possessions but many of us understand they are only temporary anyway. What about the times we lose family members or close friends due to accidents or storms?
For those of us that read our Bible and are familiar with the book of Job understand that Job was God’s chosen one. However, God allowed Satan to strip Job of all his possessions and then take away his family. The only thing Satan couldn’t do was take Job’s life. Satan tried to convert Job’s way of thinking about the world instead of keeping his eyes on the Lord. Job never gave in and God restored to him what Satan had taken away.
Horatio Gates Spafford (1828-1888) was much like Job. A very successful lawyer in Chicago he was blessed to have a great business sense with many real estate holdings and a beautiful family. He and his wife were blessed with four daughters and one son. He, as many of us are, loved God. Even though his faith was great it did not spare him from adversity.
Spafford and his wife tragically lost their son and shortly thereafter the Great Chicago Fire destroyed all his real estate holdings. A couple years later he planned a vacation for he, his wife, and daughters to Europe. Due to work he had to put his family on a ship to Europe and he would follow them later.
The ship his family was on was struck by another vessel and his four daughters were lost to the sea. As Spafford was travelling across the sea to meet his wife, he penned the words to his song called “It is well with my Soul.”
The first two verses read this way and I would challenge anyone reading this to read the other two verses since this hymn seems to not be sung very much in our churches anymore.
“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.” Refrain says – It is well, IT IS WELL, with my soul, WITH MY SOUL, it is well, it is well with my soul.
“Though Satan should buffet, tho’ trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and hath shed his own blood for my soul.” Refrain.
How many of us have this same type faith that Job and Spafford had? Are we willing to allow God to control our lives during the darkest times that we will face? Will we turn away from what the world offers us and put our total faith and commitment in Jesus Christ?
It is amazing that Spafford was able to write this song during one of the lowest times he faced on earth. After the tragedy, Spafford and his wife moved to Jerusalem to be a Christian witness to the Muslims and Jews.
What is your faith in? Are you a believer in Jesus Christ and have you accepted Him into your heart?
Prayer: Thank you Lord for lives of Job and Horatio Spafford. I pray that my faith is as strong as theirs and that whatever happens in my life that I will turn everything over to you. Amen.
