Wednesday, October 2, 2013

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

In the Sea of Tragedy

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

In the late 1860s, Horatio G. Spafford had a beautiful wife named Anna, a son and four daughters, and a successful law practice in Chicago. By all accounts, his life was "perfect."

However, a series of tragic events would soon occur... beginning with the loss of their four-year-old son to scarlet fever.

A year later, Horatio faced another test of his faith as he lost most of his real estate investments in the Great Chicago Fire. Although their finances were mostly depleted, the couple continued to care for the homeless, hungry, grieving and sick.

In 1873, the Spafford family decided to plan a trip to Europe for a time of refreshing for an ill Anna and to assist two renown ministers with a revival in England.

The day the family planned to set sail for Europe, a business emergency emerged. Not wanting to disappoint his wife and daughters, he sent them ahead with friends. He did not know that he would never see his daughters again.

The ship the family was on was struck by a British iron sailing ship and sank within twelve minutes. Only 81 of the 307 passengers survived.

An unconscious Anna Spafford was rescued from floating debris. When she regained consciousness, she telegraphed to her husband, "Saved alone. What shall I do..."

Horatio left Chicago without delay to bring his wife home. Sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, the captain of the ship informed Horatio that that they were passing the place where the ship his family was on sank.

THAT night, Horatio penned the words to his famous hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul."

Anna later spoke of the horrific events. In her grief and despair, she said she heard a small voice say, "You were saved for a purpose." At that moment, she remembered the words spoken to her from a friend, "It's easy to be grateful and good when you have so much, but take care that you are not a fair-weather friend to God."

The couple returned to Chicago and bore three more children and eventually settled in Jerusalem.

No matter what you are going through, I challenge you today to always find your peace in God. Life can bring about the loss of loved ones, possessions, and dreams but NO ONE or thing can rob you of your soul when you put your full trust in Him. You too were saved for a PURPOSE.

Dear Lord, even in my darkest hours, it IS well with my soul because You have saved me. The temporary woes of this life will soon be forgotten as I one day find my eternal rest in You.

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.

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Lyrics to It Is Well With My Soul

Written by: Horatio G. Spafford

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.

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 has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
(refrain)

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!
(refrain)

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.

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