It is Well

Sunday, 29th July 2o07

Wow, there are just so many things the Lord has put in my heart recently, especially after ROOTTS turned one.

I have been reading the 40Day 07 "The Stones Cry Out" and have quite a bit to share about it.

I have also finished 17 out of the 22 chapters of the book "Destined to Reign" by Pastor Joseph Prince, and have lots to share from there too.

There has indeed been an overabundance, and you may be thus be receiving this particular meditation a week early.

But this is one topic that has been at the back of my mind, which I feel compelled to blog about today.

My dad recently told me the story of how the hymn "It is Well with My Soul" came about.

The hymnwriter Horatio Spafford first lost his son in 1871. Then fire cause him his business. And then in 1873, his four daughters perished in a shipwreck.

In spite of his physical circumstances, and the attacks upon his family and career by the evil one, he could still have the faith and conviction to write this beautiful hymn.

From the lyrics you can tell that
1. He knew it was satan who was the source of his misfortune
2. He knows that all his sin has been nailed to the cross, and what he was going through was not God punishing him.
3. He was walking by faith, and looked forward to the day when his faith became sight.

Speaking of "it is well", do you know that this term was lifted from 2 Kings 4?

There was this very elderly couple staying in Shunem who extended hospitality to the prophet Elisha, so much so that they reserved a room in their house for him in the attic, so that whenever he passed that way on his journeys, he could spend the night there.

The prophet Elisha prophesised that they would have a son, and sure enough, the woman gave birth shortly thereafter, even though both she and her husband were very advanced in years.

Alas, when the child was a young lad, he suddenly collapsed and died. Just imagine that. Here was the only child of a couple that had waited decades for his arrival, who now lay dead.

Yet, we read the following words uttered by the mother...
verse 23, "... And she said,"it shall be well."
verse 26,"and she answered, "It is well."

Later on in verse 35, we read how Elisha raised him from the dead.

But hey, do you not marvel at the faith of his mother? She could say, "It is well", which is translated from the original Hebrew word, "shalom".

Those of us going through trials and tribulations. May we have equally strong convictions that "it is well with our souls". Amen?

It is Well with My Soul

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast 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.

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!

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.