Friday, May 6, 2011

#2 hero of faith: Horatio Spafford-It is well with my soul






Have you ever heard of Horatio Spafford? Probably no but I believe most of us have heard the song "It is well with my soul" before.. and sang it in church. Well, let's get to know the author of the song =D

He's the one who wrote the song "It is well with my soul" when he got the news that all his children died (Annie, Maggie, Bessie, Tanetta)when boarding on the grand SS Ville du Havre, a French liner considered the most magnificent ship in existence to France. However, he got a note from his wife, Anna stating "SAVED ALONE".

Horatio stood alone at the bow of the ship. Three miles deep, the cold, glinting ocean held the skeleton of the Ville du Havre and the bodies of his precious little girls.

Then Horatio dug into his pocket and pulled out a piece of hotel stationery and a pencil. He began to scrawl words that flowed from his heart in a TORRENT OF PAIN AND FAITH.


When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


Refrain:
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.

Horatio had no idea his daughter, Bertha, yet unborn, would one day sing these words to young soldiers of all nationalities in Jerusalem suffering through their last hours of life. He did not know that his words would inspire Christians throughout the twentieth century and beyond with their powerful message of God's sovereignty and His great love.

Horatio only knew that he could not stop the flow of praise from his own heart as he mourned-and worshipped.

Despite all the sorrows, in 1881, the Spaffords moved to Jerusalem to meet the needs of the people. Through their service, they were able to share Christ with the local Jewish and Muslim communities.

Do get this book and read it =D

P/s: Can we still worship God in the midst of our pain and sufferings?? Horatio did =D We can learn from him.

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