It Is Well

You’ve heard 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.

Its author, Horatio G. Spafford speaks of the optimism that faith in Christ truly brings:

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.

Spafford’s refrain is his testimony:

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

He describes the source of freedom every Christian should feel:

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!

He tells how Jesus’ presence in us and with us brings peace:

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

And, naturally, Spafford ends telling about our ultimate hope:

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.

But there’s one verse that really speaks to me, but I hardly ever hear it sung:

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

How is it with your soul?

Cyberhymnal.org has the story behind the fascinating and surprising story behind the hymn.

Posted via email from Ferndale Tonight