On Wednesday, February 19th, we sang a hymn that is over 150 years old. I claimed, in Chapel, that it was still quite relevant today, but why? Why is a song like that still applicable today? To answer that, it’s important to look at the context of the hymn’s writing.
It is Well with My Soul was written by Horatio Spafford, a successful businessman and lawyer. He and his wife, Anna, and their four daughters and one son lived in Chicago. In 1871, he first lost his son to pneumonia, and then his entire business in the Great Chicago Fire. Desiring to give his family a rest after the tumultuous year, Spafford planned a Europe trip. Due to last-minute business complications, he stayed behind while his wife and daughters set sail for England. Horatio expected to join them a few days later and finally have some rest with his family.
When the Ocean liner sank in just twelve minutes, his four daughters perished with it. His wife, Anna, was saved. When Horatio heard, he headed straight for Europe. In two years, he had lost all of his children and his entire livelihood.
When Job heard the same news (Job 1:20-21), he
“stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said,
“The Lord gave me what I had,
and the Lord has taken it away.
Praise the name of the Lord!”
As Horatio made his way to his wife, over the ocean that had stolen his daughters, he wrote the following lines:
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.
Both of these men lost everything, yet they still praised God and declared that they had peace with Him. I can’t help but wonder how they were able to do that! But I found an answer in John 16:33, where Jesus says,
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
So, the relevance of the hymn is that humans still go through struggles; this song reminds us that there is a God who is in control. That same God sent His son to die on the cross for us so that we can have peace, even on the dark days. If you find yourself going through one of those days, play the hymn (Anthem Lights has a beautiful rendering of the hymn). If you have peace with God, sing it out, and if you don’t, ponder the invitation Jesus gives anyone who will receive it: “I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.” – John 12:46
