THE BLISS OF LEGACY (IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL)

...And she answered, IT IS WELL. – 2Ki 4:26

Some months ago here on TWFT, we dwelt on the life and legacy of the great hymnist “P. P. Bliss”. Philip Paul Bliss was an accomplished hymn writer and composer of world acclaim. However, he was not the author of the famous hymn attached to his name. The words were written by a lay Christian: a man named Horatio Spafford.

Few persons, Christian or not, could have handled the kind of grief Mr Spafford had to face in his lifetime. He was a successful lawyer with investments in several properties in the city of Chicago and a father of five children. At age 2, his only son died. This was followed by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which destroyed most of his investments. The rest of his finances suffered even more loss from the economic downturn of 1873.

But these losses were nothing compared to what was to come. That same year, the ship on which his wife and remaining children were travelling in collided with a sea vessel, and all four of Spafford's daughters died.

It’s from the heart of such a grief-stricken man that the words of the now famous hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” poured out from, (P.P. Bliss composed the tune). Indeed, the words came to Spafford just as he approached the spot where the tragedy happened!

In this day and age where talk is cheap and people blurt out easy-believy Quotable Quotes; in this modern church times where faith has been reduced to formulaic expressions and canned prayer points; in these last days where a Pastor’s qualification is tied to his oratorical and project-management skills and not about their life experiences... It’s helpful once in a while to sit back and meditate on the words of one who has earned his right to teach us a thing or two about faith and perseverance.

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Regardless of my current circumstances, I’ve learnt from Mr Spafford and have made it a practice to always declare, because I KNOW, that

“It Is Well, It Is Well, With My Soul.”

AMEN.

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.

GREG ELKAN