Horatio Spafford was a successful attorney and real estate investor, but lost his fortune in one of the worst economic collapses in the country's history. Later that year, he lost his 4 year old son to a debilitating disease. With what money he had left, he decided to send his family on a trip to separate them from his work and soothe the pain of their loss. He arranged for his wife and four remaining children to board a ship from the states bound for England, and he would join them after tying up some loose ends with his work. Two days after boarding the boat, Horatio received a cryptic notification from his wife which said "Saved alone. What should I do?" He then learned that the ship his family was on had been hit by another ship, and his family's ship had sunk. Over 200 people died, including his four daughters. His wife survived. Horatio left immediately to join his wife in England, and part of the way into the trip, the captain let him know they were passing over the spot where the shipwreck had occurred. In the midst of unbearable pain, Horatio wrote these words of comfort. "When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll - whatever thou lot, thou hast taught me to know, it is well, it is well with my soul." The year was 1873, and Horatio had just penned what would become one of the most well-known hymns ever written. God did not promise that life on this earth would be easy, but He did promise that He would be with us and that He would comfort us.
I was first introduced to Wintley Phipps at a company meeting when he performed one of the most moving performances of Amazing Grace that I have ever heard, but I just found his arrangement of It is Well today. Take a moment to feel the comfort of God's presence.
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