June 17 “Thank You Lord… It Is Well With My Soul!” Psalm 55:1-5 NKJV
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Give ear to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my supplication.
2 Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily, 3 Because of the voice of the enemy,
Because of the oppression of the wicked; For they bring down trouble upon me, And in wrath they hate me. 4 My heart is severely pained within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me. 5 Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me.” (Psalm 55:1-5 NKJV)
The 1870’s were a difficult and tragic time for a man named Horatio Spafford. The death of his 4 years old son, loss of property during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the 1873 collapse of the economy caused great loss financially, the tragic loss of 4 daughters from the sinking of the S.S. Ville du Havre cruise ship because of an accident at sea (His wife was the sole survivor)! Horatio traveled as rapidly as possible to be with his wife. Saddened and grieving for the loss of their four daughters, and the desire to see his wife, he boarded another ship bound for her destination. As the ship passed the area where his beautiful girls had perished, he wrote an amazing song, and we still sing it today! It is entitled “It Is Well!” Read the lyrics of this beautiful hymn and recognize the power that dedicated Horatio’s life and his living!
“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. 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 hath regarded my helpless estate, and hath shed His own blood for my soul.
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. It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul. “
Believer, whether we are cruising along at a peaceful and leisurely pace or struggling and battling every step along the way, may we reflect the amazing Faith in our Savior that Horatio displayed and demonstrated! How did Horatio survive and deal with the overwhelming tragedies that afflicted his life? How was he able to continue living with any joy or strength? Pay Attention! He cast all of his cares, concerns, grief, and despair on His Lord and Savior, and he claimed his sustaining power and he was deeply saddened and grieved, but he was secure in the reality of God’s Amazing Grace that sustained him and allowed him to continue to embrace God’s Power, Praise God’s Name and to live out his life with the Peace that only comes from the promises of God! Remember John 16:33: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Stay Strong, Stay Focused … THE BEST IS YET TO BE!