“The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice” (Psalm 97:1).

It is inspiring to see God’s hand moving through his children. It is a blessing to be reminded of His character. He is trustworthy, He is loyal, faithful, and true.

As I listen to the beautiful words from hymns written long ago, my heart is inspired, my soul refreshed. The messages are still so fresh, so relevant for today. Hymns are beautiful poetry set to music, reminding us to remember that: God is faithful, God is loving, God is forever with us.

One such hymn is Horatio Spafford’s “It Is Well with My Soul, 1873.”

It is said Horatio wrote this song after tragedy hit. He had already lost his four-year-old son to scarlet fever, lost much money and property due to a fire that swept through his city, Chicago. Two years after the fire, he decided it would be good for his family to take a holiday. So, he sent his four daughters and wife ahead and planned to meet them two days later. While his wife, Anna, and daughters set sail on the Atlantic, the steamship was struck. Two hundred and twenty-six people lost their lives that day. Horatio would soon learn that all four of his daughters had died, and only his wife had survived.

When he was reunited with his wife, they made a voyage back home. One day, during the voyage, the captain requested Horatio to come to the bridge of the vessel. Pointing to his charts, he explained they were passing over the very spot where the ship had sunk and where his daughters had died. It is said this tragedy compelled him to write the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul.” The first line of this beautiful poem is “When peace, like a river, attendeth my way.”

I had never heard this story before. Although the song is moving, it is even more so when one understands the story… the deep pain, the unimaginable, profound loss that Horatio went through. He and his wife suffered beyond belief.

I would encourage you to read the rest of his story. He and his wife had more children and continued serving God till the day they each took their last breath. I have no doubt when they met Jesus that they each were met with a resounding “Well done, thy good and faithful servant!”

I can only imagine what a homecoming they had meeting their Savior face-to-face and being reunited with all of their children for all eternity.

Many of the hymns we sing today were written from tragedy. Some of these hymns are so powerful and moving they bring tears to the eyes. As sons and daughters of Christ, we can be assured that Jesus holds us through it all… He never leaves our side. There is purpose in our pain, our tragedies, our trials. We have hope in the darkest of night because He is our light. He is our hope. He is our joy. He is our peace… a peace that passes all understanding.

He walks beside us, with us, behind us… He promises to never leave us or forsake us.

Whatever happens in this world…whatever happens in your life… know that His love enables you to be comforted in the storm. His peace provides a way to move forward. His sacrifice provides a bridge that allows forgiveness and salvation. He still gives hope even when all seems lost and deeply dark.

We will not always have an answer or understanding for things that happen in this life, but we’re called to lean on and fully trust the One who does. With child-like faith, we’re to trust Him… in all things, beyond our own understanding.

He is with you now. He has never left your side.

As His child, you can be assured of His promises and that one day you will see Him face-to-face and will forever be with Him.

If you have never accepted His offer of salvation… have never surrendered your life… your heart to Him, please do so today. He loves you and wants to be Lord of your life. We are not promised tomorrow, but for those who have put their trust in Jesus, we are promised a blessed and beautiful eternity forever with Him.

Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

Accepting Jesus into your heart is the best decision you will ever make. Don’t delay; ask Him to make you a new creation… to give you a fresh start… to be Lord and Savior in your life.

As you journey today, I hope you’ll be inspired by Horatio’s words as you read his beautiful, profound hymn. I pray it will stir your heart and have a meaningful impact as you read the words and remember the story behind the words.

May you feel God’s presence close as you continue to lean on Him, trust in Him and walk with Him.

spate.holly@gmail.com

It Is Well With My Soul by Horatio Spafford

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Life involves trials. Some are small, some are large, but all trials can create challenges…all can add to or chisel away the good parts of our character depending on how we face them…how we choose to deal with them.

Trials can make us stronger and teach us, or they can make us bitter and weaken us. Trials are tests we pass or fail. Our lives, our perspectives, our attitudes are affected by them in various ways, and no one is immune. Trials can become our testimonies, and as Christians, those testimonies could very well become our eternal treasures.

Contemplate awhile on this beautiful concept:

Tests +Trials = Testimonies + Treasures

Now, let’s focus on this verse in Romans 8:28, which reminds us of how great God is toward His children: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”

There are many verses in the Bible that are given to both strengthen and encourage God’s children as we face struggles and are tested by trials. And we all will face trials.

Everyone has trials; everyone is tested in this life. Everyone endures hardship in some form. Everyone experiences stress throughout this life. Even those in society who seem (by the world’s standards) to have it all – every success, all the riches of the world – even they are tested. They, too, endure hardship. No one in all of history past or anyone living today or born tomorrow escapes testing and trials. We’re not promised a cushy life here and now…a life of perfection without pain. Jesus himself said we will have trials in this fallen world, but thankfully He promises that He will be with us…guiding us, providing for us, encouraging and helping us through it all.

We are promised (all who cry out to Jesus…to all who believe in Him and ask Him to be Lord and Savior of their hearts and lives) that we will one day experience a place of perfection for all eternity. A place with no more trials, tests, temptations, heartache, injustice or pain. For now, however, we live in a sinful and fallen world which is why we need to lean into our Savior, cling tight and praise Him in all circumstances, knowing that He is always working everything together for our good and His glory.

Remember: God is always working together for YOUR good!

Peter made it clear to not be surprised by our sufferings. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12-13).

Tests and trials are part of life… everyone’s life.

As a believer, tests and trials can be some of our greatest gifts from God. Most aren’t pleasant at the time (I know; I’m going through one right now). Most people don’t cheer and throw a party when they arrive. They generally aren’t welcome and are usually uncomfortable to go through. They can feel like a weight bearing down heavy on one’s heart, one’s mind and one’s soul. They can really throw one for a loop, shake things up and turn things upside down. Yet, in the midst of it all, believers are to never forget this truth found in Romans 8:18, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Now, that’s good news.

Trials and tests may take us through valleys dark, but are necessary to lead us to something better…a mountaintop view…a new perspective…to better our character, etc. God can use them to help us learn, help us grow and bring us closer to Him. Someone wisely said, “God is more concerned about our character than our comfort.” He wants us comforted, but that doesn’t mean we’ll always be comfortable. He wants us to trust Him in all things, every hour of every day. He is interested in drawing us to Himself so we can have a deeper relationship. Trials have a way of growing our faith, increasing our trust and strengthening our character. They refine us where we need refining and bring us closer to God. They can mature us and better us. They can become our testimonies and, with God at the helm intervening, our testimonies can become treasures that will stand the test of time for all eternity.

These are all good things.

The following verses should encourage you as you view your trials through God’s perspective:

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:2-4).

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Peter 5:10).

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12).

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:1-5).

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer” (Romans 12:12).

Whether you find yourself today in the dark valley going through trials or basking in the sunshine on the mountaintop, you are called to always remember God’s goodness and to thank Him in all circumstances.

A heart conditioned to be thankful in all circumstances is a heart that can rest in God’s peace, joy and light during the darkest of days, the most trying of trials, and the best of times. Philippians 4:7 reminds of this truth: “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

As sons and daughters of our heavenly Father, we should be comforted and encouraged as we remember the forever truth of Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

We should feel joy when we think of Psalm 103:1-6: “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.”

No matter what you are going through right now, no matter what you may go through in the future, never forget that the very One who created you…the One who knows the number of hairs on your head, who calls you by name, promises to always be there providing strength, giving hope, holding your hand, and never leaving or forsaking you, has a purpose for your trials and a plan in your pain.

Rejoice in knowing that God works all things together for your good and has your life in His trustworthy hands.

Never forget…your trials and tests today can become testimonies that bring treasures for all eternity. And that is something to be happy about.

Have a blessed week!

spate.holly@gmail.com