Title: “It Is Well With My Soul: The Peace That Passes All Tragedy”
My Voyage
I’ve been on a voyage of my own through this playlist, and so far, It Is Well. Truly I hope you have been with me as I stood at the cross in “Were You There.” Together, we clung to the cross in “Old Rugged Cross,” where the dearest and the best died so that we could live.
It wasn’t so much that I laid down my pride in “When I Survey.” It was more like pride was made so insignificant that it had to be flung far from me. Immediately.
You might think that this voyage ends in more sorrow, but it doesn’t. It ends in a peace so profound, so illogical, it can only be divine.
The Hymn’s Power / The Story Behind the Peace
This song (original version) has been a favorite of mine for a long time. First, it’s a great song. One even I can sing. Second, the opening words resonate with me. I know Jesus as my Savior and I am trying to know Him better all the time. He, only He, is why I have peace eternally. It’s not a feeling, it is part of me, a smile from inside-out.
“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.”
Peace is not a Feeling
Peace isn’t because the river and scene may be what we call peaceful, it’s because I am at peace. It has to be because when sorrows like sea billows roll, would not be considered peaceful by many if any.
Peace is a Declaration
Peace is a state of being. It’s a declaration. It’s a position you take based on a reality that exists outside of your circumstances.
Peace is a response to an eternal reality. It’s like the bedrock under the earth. Firm, unshakable, it’s constant, and it’s controlled by the unchanging character of God. Peace is not the absence of the storm; it’s the anchor that holds you firm in the storm.
World Peace
The world is chasing a feeling of peace. Through meditation, through vacations, through distraction, through “lazy language” that promises good vibes. Through finding peace here and there. Those are feelings.
This is what makes the old hymns so powerful. These words are not sung “I feel peaceful.” They are sung “It is well.” Declaration. That’s a statement of fact. It’s a defiant act of the will, choosing to believe what God says is true over what your emotions are screaming is false. The world screams emotionally, God whispers calmly, lovingly assertive.
Gift of Peace
John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.“
His peace is not fragile. Peace of mind and heart. Calm. Confidence in Him. His peace. It’s a reality that is independent of your feelings.
Author at Peace
In the video below I touch on these facts that led to the hymn we are discussing.
Horatio Spafford:
- Successful businessman in Chicago.
- The Great Chicago fire dismantled his fortune.
- The family voyage had a late change of plans: He sent his family ahead.
- His wife sent this two-word telegram from Wales: “Saved alone.”
- Upon receiving the news he made his journey across the sea.
- With the captain he was shown the spot where his daughters were lost.
- In him, was the gift of Peace left for those who know Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Only Peace Could Pen These Words
Horatio’s story is the engine of the hymn. It’s what gives the lyrics their impossible weight. The reader needs to understand that when he wrote “It is well,” he was literally standing in the wreckage of his life.
Yet, the gift from God was shared from that sorrow laden voyage like this:
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
It is well, with my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul
O 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
Personal Connection / When Your Faith is Your Sight
We all face sorrow. We all go through times that are anything but peaceful.
While I can’t wait for my Savior to come for me, “O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight.” I, we, are called to profess our faith and bring others with us until Jesus returns. This is not just about our faith, it is about Him. Why Him? Among many reasons, an incredibly significant reason is Because He Lives.
So, I speak, I write, and I share intentionally and with urgency. Until He returns I will do so. Still I cannot wait for the day that my faith shall be sight.
It’s not about wishing for a better life. I literally long for the day when my hope in Jesus is replaced by the sight of Jesus. It’s the ultimate hope that makes every present sorrow bearable. A story for another time perhaps, but I truly do not think I would still be on this earth were it not for the hope of eternal life in heaven through Jesus.
The Bigger Truth / The “Because He Lives” Bridge
The title of the Tommee Proffitt version adds the crucial piece.
- Why could Spafford say “It is well”? Why can we say it when our world is falling apart?
- Because He Lives.
He Lives
The peace isn’t based on our circumstances. It’s not based on our strength. We cannot create this peace nor can we work hard enough to make our soul well. All of it is based on a historical event with eternal consequences. The resurrection is the proof that the debt was paid, the sentence was served, and the victory was declared. The empty tomb is the reason the soul can be well. It is the ultimate answer to the “lazy language” of modern faith. It’s not a vague hope; it’s a concrete reality.
Stop
Right now, it’s the end of my day. Thunder rolls outside. Yet, I am quiet at this moment. This time, it’s not a question, a clinging, or a surrender. It’s a moment of rest. A moment to just breathe and say, “Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well with my soul.” The Peace Jesus left with us, is my declaration at this quiet end of day.
New To Me
Even though the hymn is familiar, this version, this context, this understanding of Spafford’s story, made it new. This version is incredible! Truly I cannot listen to this without tears in my eyes. Tears of joy. Joy knowing that He Lives! It’s a testament. It’s the anchor for the soul in the storm.
Listen to the hymn that moved me
Visit my “Resurrection Hymns” page to hear “It Is Well (Because He Lives)” and other songs from this playlist:
More reflections coming soon
We are at number four in a series of posts about these powerful hymns. Check back in the coming days as I share how other songs from the Resurrection Of A King playlist impacted me. Set in motion from that Easter Sunday playlist that followed me all through northern New England the next day.
Watch my video reflection on this hymn: My YouTube Short Video on this