When Peace Like a River (ELW 785)
1 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.
Refrain
It is well, with my soul,
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 has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
Refrain
3 He lives, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought;
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to his cross and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Refrain
4 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.
Refrain
Devotion
Horatio Spafford begins verse three of his hymn with the glorious thought that Christ lives! Then he pivots to a vision of his own sin nailed to the cross, releasing him from the burden of guilt. Romans 6:5-6 makes the connection: “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him … so we might no longer be enslaved to sin.” In verse four, Spafford looks ahead to Christ’s return, when all believers will see clearly what previously they knew only by faith. He awaits the day with eager assurance. We recently sang this hymn at the funeral of my mother-in-law and, despite the void she left, the voices of friends and family were lifted up together in joyful praise: “It is well with our souls.”
Prayer
Good and gracious God, your ways are often beyond our understanding, but so is your peace. Our doubts and fears never end, but neither do your mercies. Thank you for the salvation you freely give us in Christ. Strengthen our faith and keep our souls anchored in you. Amen.