It Is Well With My Soul
This is the theme and passage that I preached on this evening (December 9th, 2005).
Read 2 Kings 4:8-37 - especially noting verses 23 and 26.
2 Kings 4:23 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.
2 Kings 4:26 Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.
This woman was distraught, but chose to trust the Lord and His promises rather than focus on her situation. She kept her eyes on the Lord and sought Him (through seeking the man of God). She didn't understand why the Lord took the life of the child He had given her by promise, but she knew He was in control, and knew it would be well with her. For all true believers in Jesus Christ, the Lord is working out all things for our good - and even in the midst of tragedies and trials, it can be well with our souls. Circumstances don't change our salvation, nor separate us from our Heavenly Father's love. When we put our eyes solidly on the Lord, rather than stumble and falter by putting them on our distressing situations, it is well with our souls.
The following was taken from a music tape, as the Introduction to this hymn:
In 1873, a Christian named H.G. Spafford wrote the hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul." It has since become a classic and is one of my favourite hymns. My heart broke when I learned the story behind the hymn. This hymn, which has been an encouragement and brought comfort and assurance to thousands of believers, was written during the darkest hour of his life.
He lived in Chicago with his wife and four daughters. His home was destroyed in the Chicago fire of 1871. During this time of tragedy, Mr. Spafford was known for his many deeds of special kindness to those in need. He suffered financial losses in 1873 and in November of that year, he decided to take his family for a visit to Europe. But as they were preparing to leave for the trip, Mr. Spafford was called away on business. He sent his wife and four daughters on ahead by ship, promising to meet them in Europe. Mr. Spafford did not know then that he would never see his children again on earth.
In the blackness of a November night, their steamship collided with another vessel and sank in the Atlantic Ocean. Over 200 people lost their lives, among them were Mr. Spafford's four daughters. Back in Chicago, Mr. Spafford heard that the ship had gone down. He waited for a message from his wife. When the message came, it read, "Saved alone." He then realized that his four precious children had been drowned. Mr. Spafford took a ship to Europe to join his wife. And while on the way, the ship passed over the place where his children had drowned. And it was here, with a broken heart and a mighty faith in God, he wrote these words:
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."
Chorus:
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 hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for 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!
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.
I ended the message with relating a little of what is happening with my Dad's health, and my family's (ie. Aunts, Uncle, stepmom and half-sister) choice not to resuscitate him the next time he stops breathing. My Dad is unsaved - and so far has rejected the Lord. When my Mom died a little over two months ago, I was able to deal with her loss because I knew she went home to Heaven and I would see her again. Focusing on my Dad's situation made me stumble and falter - UNTIL the Lord brought this hymn and this passage of Scripture back to my mind, and then I chose to focus solidly back on the Lord again.
Though trials should come, whatever my lot, it is well with my soul. Is it well with your soul?
Do you have the assurance of sins forgiven through the shed blood of Jesus Christ? Do you have the confidence that you have a home in Heaven and nothing can separate you from the love of God? If not, why not turn from your sin to the Saviour today? Then you can have the assurance that all is well with your soul and that the Lord is working out all things for your good. God is still in control.
Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
"Even so", it is well with my soul.
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