Archives for January 11, 2015

Devotion

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
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, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and has shed his own blood for my soul. Refrain

He lives—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought;
my sin, not in part, but the whole,
is nailed to his cross and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! Refrain

Lord, hasten the day when our faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
the trumpet shall sound and the Lord shall descend;
even so it is well with my soul. Refrain

You have probably heard the story of this hymn. It was written by Horatio Spafford following a series of calamites, including the tragic drowning death of his four daughters. Instead of being justifiably angry with God, this hymn writer proclaims that he is at peace with God. Indeed he praises God for God's great love and grace.

To be able to be in a state of peace and well-being when one's life is as peaceful as a river is one thing. But to be in a state of peace and well-being when "sorrows like sea billows roll," is quite another. The author doesn't claim to be able to do this by himself or by his own strength, but gives all the credit to God. He knows that God is the first to weep when tragedy strikes; he knows that in the midst of suffering he is held in God's tight embrace.