It Is Well

Today is the third Sunday that our church has not gathered together for worship. Like everyone else in this unusual time, we are finding new routines and ways to connect with each other.

On the first Sunday that we spent at home, I felt that it was important to make some new traditions with my children. I didn't expect to be able to return to regular Sunday services in a week or two. I gave each of the older children a job for our own family worship service. For example, one chose a Bible story to read to the younger girls, another chose some Sunday School songs, another two hymns. After having a short time of singing and Sunday School, we listened to the sermon recorded at our church.

Our church is streaming sermons on their Facebook page. There are now sermons in both English and Spanish. You are welcome to listen in.

With all the noise online right now, I haven't known what to say.

I haven't been sharing favorite hymns very often in the last year, and I miss it. As long as we don't have regular Sunday morning services, I'm going to attempt to share a hymn on Sunday morning here.

"It Is Well With My Soul" is familiar to many of us.  I've heard the story of how it was written so often that it has become a cliche to me.

But when Ed was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer, he told me that he wanted "It Is Well With My Soul" sung at his funeral. He gave almost no other suggestions for the service than this song.

The words of this hymn were Ed's testimony. He truly lived his two years with a terminal diagnosis with his soul was at peace.

There is a lot of uncertainties in our lives today. We don't know how bad this pandemic will be. We don't know if it will affect the ones we love. We don't know how long it will take our economy to recover.

I'm not minimizing the hardship that many people are facing at this time. But if a 40-year-old with a terminal diagnosis can find peace, anyone can.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3)

We often don't sing the fourth or fifth verse of this hymn, but I'm including the words of the complete hymn here.

It Is Well With My Soul
by Horatio Gates Spafford

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

1. When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well with my soul.
   • Refrain:
     It is well with my soul,
     It is well, it is well with my soul.
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
3. 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!
4. 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.
5. 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!
6. And Lord, haste the day when the 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.

Enjoy listening.