“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.” Horatio G. Spafford, the author of these famous lines, wrote them after experiencing the loss of his fortune in the Great Chicago fire, the death of his 4-year-old son to scarlet fever, and the death of his four daughters in the sinking of the SS Ville du Havre. When traveling to meet his wife, his ship passed near the spot where his daughters died. He had a sense of peace and began to write the hymn “It Is Well with My Soul.”
The Oxford Dictionary defines “peace” as “Freedom from anxiety, disturbance (emotional, mental, or spiritual), or inner conflict; calm, tranquillity. Freedom from civil unrest or disorder; public order and security.” The tragedies Horatio G. Spafford encountered and the situations we encounter in our lives can make it seem like having peace is impossible. How can we have peace in the midst of devastation? How can we say “It Is Well with My Soul” in the face of tragedy?
In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul reminds us that God’s peace surpasses all human understanding, it is different from worldly peace: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Paul directs us to bring our cares to God, as does Peter in 1 Peter 5:7 and Jesus in Luke 11, remembering that God cares for us. In John 14:27 Jesus promises to give us this peace: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
We must also remember that this earth is temporary and that there is a much better eternity waiting for us. Romans 8:6 “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Revelation 21:4 “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
We must remember that our hope and peace is founded on Jesus, John 16:33 - “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” He is our peace (Ephesians 2:14) and is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) who gives “peace at all times and in every way” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).
May you be encouraged as we continue to wait in anticipation for Jesus’ second coming: Join us these next few weeks as we will continue to reflect on the love and joy surrounding Jesus’ birth and His return.
