2-25pm
I’ve been thinking about some of the biggest tragedies in life. For me, the most painful events revolve around parents losing a child. The enormous amount of pain and anguish that comes with such a loss is overwhelming.
Horatio Spafford & his wife, Anna experienced a loss of such tragic proportions, it’s hard to imagine how they coped. In the
Horatio Spafford
1860s they lived in Chicago as a well-to-do couple. Horatio was a successful lawyer with a thriving business. Anna stayed at home with their 4 daughters & an only son. Dwight L. Moody was a good friend and the Spafford supported him in any way possible. Tragedy struck in 1870 when, at the age of 4, their son died of scarlet fever. The dark days of mourning passed and life continued for the Spaffords. In 1871, Horatio purchased property north of Chicago. Expecting it to be a lasting, meaningful investment, his ideal was short lived. Towards the end of 1871, the great fire of Chicago swept through the city, destroying a sizable section of the new property investment.
Two years later, their good friend D.L. Moody was in England preaching and Horatio thought it would be a good idea for the whole family to take a holiday in England. After all they had gone through, it would be good to get away. With the passage booked, plans were made to sail in November 1873. Shortly before leaving, Horatio was delayed due to business. He sent the family on ahead, planning to join them as soon as his business was concluded. On 22nd November 1873 tragedy of unspeakable proportions struck. While crossing the Atlantic, the steamship on which the family were travelling, the Ville du Havre collided with another vessel. The ship sank and with it 226 people died,
Anna Spafford
including all 4 of Horatio’s children. Anna Spafford was saved. When she arrived in England she sent a telegram to Horatio, with just two words, “Saved alone.”
Heartbroken, Horatio rushed to be at her side. On the voyage over, in grief and despair, he cleared away the clutter of his mind and emotions and considered the state of his soul. Then with inspiration and strength that could only be drawn from the Holy Spirit, he wrote these words:
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.
(Refrain:) It is well (it is well),
with my soul (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 hath 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 His cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(Refrain)
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pain shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
(Refrain)
And Lord haste the day, when the 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.
(Refrain)
The Spaffords went on to have three more children, although only two lived into adulthood. How much tragedy can one family take? Yet the Spaffords continued to trust God throughout their lives, devoting themselves fully to Him. They understood that Christ identifies with our pain and that the tragedy of this world is only temporary. He will see us through all our sorrows in this life and ensure we are completely whole and rewarded with unlimited, unending joy in the life to come.
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
Amen!
Keep the smile going.
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂
Gratitude Pic…Adrian and Stacey are visiting this week! 😀
