On Monday, I shared in this post the story of how the Lord tenderly put the sound of melody in my heart the moment I learned my father was dying. In the stark, cold, dingy hospital waiting room, the chorus rang loudly in my mind as tears streamed down my face.
While I always sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" when I was younger, the last song I sang to my dad after his last breath was this one.
What I didn't know then, was the origin on this hymn. It was written in 1873 by Horatio Spafford who had been engulfed in tragedy. His son died several years prior, his business burned to the ground and all four of his daughters died in a collison at sea. He lost everything dear and sacred to him.
Yet somehow, by the rich grace of God, he knew the rest that comes with salvation. While crossing the Atlantic to reunite with his wife, he penned these words as his ship sailed passed his daughters final resting place.
It Is Well With My Soul
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain:
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.
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!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of 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
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Today's post inspired by:
