Seeking Peace

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“My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation." – Psalm 62:1

 Fire consumed the buildings and raged across the horizon as far as they could see.  Flames shot 75 feet into the air and leaped from one building to another as it moved throughout the city.  The reflection of the flames rippled across the waters as the smoke filled the dark night sky and screams could be heard from miles away.  Two hundred and Seventy Five lives were lost that October night in 1871, and over 90,000 people were left homeless in the city of Chicago.  One family, the Spaffords, had lost all of their businesses and investments, but their home remained intact in a Northern sub-burb of Chicago.  Horatio and Anna, and their 4 daughters, counted their blessings that evening and took nothing for granted.  With the little money they had left, they fed the hungry and helped the homeless and those grieving the loss of loved ones.

Fast forward two years.  Anna’s health declines, and times are very difficult rebuilding their business, so they choose to travel back to Europe for Anna to recover with her family and for Horatio to spend time with evangelist Dwight L. Moody, spreading the Word across Europe.  Just as they were about to depart a situation in their business arose that required Horatio to stay behind in Chicago.  Giving his wife and 4 daughters a hug and kiss, he bid them a bon voyage, with every expectation to see them as soon as possible in Europe after he solved the business problems here. 

On November 22, 1873, the steamer ship Ville du Havre collided with a British sailing ship, the Lockhearn, and sank in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.  Anna managed to hold onto a piece of debris and survived the event, her message to Horatio read, “Saved Alone, What shall I do?”  All four daughters were lost at sea.  Horatio immediately boarded the next vessel to Europe to join up with his wife once again.  As they crossed over the location of the sunken ship, Ville du Havre, he penned one of the most famous songs ever sung in a church building.  Through the heartache, the devastation, the mourning and the tragedy he was able to see that though this life is painful, we trust in the salvation of the Lord.  (Jane Winstead, Jun 29, 2008, Yahoo.com)

It is Well With my Soul
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, with my soul
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
. . . .

If you are faced with hurt and pain today, recall the grace of God and trust in His Sovereignty. He has blessed you, and loves you beyond comprehension, and though the events in life are painful and tragic, His blessings do not diminish.  He is our Salvation and there will come a day when you will rest in His arms and be filled with eternal joy and happiness.  Trust in the Lord, and walk with your head high for you are His child and He has mighty plans for your life, despite the immediate circumstances that you face.  Reach out to Him for comfort through your grief, hurt and pain; and the Holy Spirit, Comforter, will be with you.  Be blessed today my friends.   

             

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