2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.”
Horatio Spafford was a prominent lawyer, a senior partner in a large thriving law firm in Chicago. He was well-known in the 1860’s, and he and his wife were supporters and close friends of Dwight L. Moody. Spafford had sizeable amounts of investments in real estate and in the spring of 1871, everything he owned was destroyed in the great fire of Chicago. Two years later, Horatio decided his family should take a holiday in England because he knew his friend, D.L. Moody, would be preaching there. Because of business, he sent his family ahead, however, the steamship in which his family was traveling, the Ville du Havre, was struck by an iron sailing vessel and 226 people lost their lives, including his four daughters. Anna Spafford, upon arriving in England sent Horatio a telegram, saying that she was “saved alone.” As Spafford was sailing to England, he was going over the location of his daughters’ deaths, he looked out over the waters and he penned 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. ….
My sin, 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.”
Like Horatio Spafford, each and every one of us will go through adversity and difficulties, challenges in our lives that could rip us apart at the seams, the loss of a loved one, a difficult divorce, overwhelming financial issues, a disability, the list can go on and on. But how many of us can actually say the words that Spafford wrote in his song after the loss of his four young daughters, ages 11, 9, 5 and 2 years old? How many of us can praise the Lord and say to God it is well with my soul after such a devastating and cruel loss?
Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” God has given us the ability to be at peace no matter what happens in our life. He teaches us to say, it well with my soul; in the midst of the storm, His grace is sufficient for us, His power is made perfect in our weakness; when Christ is the anchor of our soul and we have been beholding the glory of our Lord, our inner spirit mirrors the Lord’s own character. When our life is hidden with Christ and there is nothing that hinders our walk with Him, His spirit will fill us and transform us so that our lives can become a mirror to all those around us who may also be going through fiery trials. Do we actually believe that this is the will of Christ Jesus for us? Do we trust Him? When we are at peace even through the valley of the shadow of death, our lives will bring hope not only to ourselves, but will bless and bring goodness into the lives of everyone around us who is watching. Our tragedy can literally become a source of inspiration and renewal for others, but most of all, we will bring glory and honor to our Lord and Savior,
– Melody
