Foundations: Heroes of the Faith - Day 51

Horatio Spafford (1828-1888)

READ: Psalm 46

The Spafford’s story is one of God’s sovereignty and goodness amid grave trial. Horatio Spafford and his wife Anna were God-fearing people with the gift of hospitality. With a successful Chicago law practice and a fair amount of real estate investments, they were fairly well-off and lived comfortably with their 5 children. They loved the Lord and used their resources and influence to aid social reform activists and evangelists in their city.

But hard times were in store for the Spaffords, who would receive a test of faith like that of Job. When their only son was just four years old he died of scarlet fever. The following year, in 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed much of Horatio Spafford’s real estate. But as people whose treasure was stored up in heaven, they reached out in love and care to help those who had lost much more than them; the fire had left 90,000 homeless.

When Anna Spafford’s health began to fail in 1873, the couple decided to take their four daughters and spend some time in Europe where D. L. Moody was conducting an evangelical campaign. Last minute business, however, required Horatio to stay home, and so he sent his wife and daughters ahead of him to Europe. Horatio Spafford would not see his daughters again. Tragically, their steamer was struck by a sailing ship, sinking in only 12 minutes and taking his four daughters with it. The telegram Spafford received from Anna read: “saved alone.” While sailing abroad to collect his wife, the captain informed him when they were near the place where his daughters drowned. After seeing it, Spafford returned to his cabin to compose his response to this tragedy. It would become one of the best-loved and heartfelt hymns of all time. The words of this hymn resound as a testament to the faith of 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, 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.
(refrain)

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!
(refrain)

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

JOURNALING AND PRAYER

1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?

2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?

3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.