It Is Well with My Soul

Horatio Spafford had known peaceful and happy days as a successful lawyer in Chicago until a series of tragedies impacted his life starting with the great Chicago fire followed by the drowning of all four of his daughters. Spafford received sustaining comfort from God that enabled him to write, “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 with my soul.”  This well-known hymn comforts and encourages us today as we face the hardships of life and heart-aches of death. Knowing the story behind the lyrics by Horatio Spafford adds even deeper significance to their meaning.

In the same way, the background story of what David was experiencing and feeling as he wrote Psalm 34 encourages us to praise the Lord all times in any circumstances of life.  As we look at the things that happened to David (1 Samuel 21), we begin to see how God uses similar situations in our lives.We discover how the fearful experiences of life cause us to fear the Lord – more.

sermon by: Larry Murray
date: 08.04.2019