Thursday, March 24, 2011

In His Grip



[caption id="" align="alignright" width="196" caption="Image via Wikipedia"]Picture of Horatio Spafford[/caption]




This month at Faith Barista we are talking about rest. Click on the Faith Barista graphic on my right side bar and join us!

This song always makes me think of rest. Emotional rest... even in the storms of life.


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.

Refrain:
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!

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.

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.

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.

Horatio Spafford

You cannot fully understand this song, unless you know the whole story.


It is powerful.


It's much easier to say "it is well with my soul",  when everything is going well. Life goes according to plan. The waters are glassy smooth. It's not as easy to sing this song when bruised and broken. When tears flow and hearts leak. When the waves pound hard.

But, it is at those times when the words of this song have the most meaning...

Tired of struggling. Exhausted from treading water. Almost down for the count.

He reaches out.

The hand that grips me strong.

And doesn't let go.

When the wind and waves threaten

He gives me emotional rest

A calm

In the midst of the storms.









8 comments:

  1. I love this..."he reaches out, grips me, doesn't let go." Isn't it so amazing that God loves us that much. To not only send his son but to pause in the midst of out storm to give us rest? Great encouragement today! Glad to be a new follower!

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  2. That is an amazing song! And the fact the person who wrote it was able to do so after suffering what he did in his life is a true testament to his faith!

    Thanks for sharing "It is Well With My Soul." Each time I hear that song I tear up since the words are so profound. And, as ususal, I like your additional thoughts.

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  3. By far, my absolute favorite hymn. Without fail when we sing this at church, I'm a sobbing, blubbery mess. :)

    The story behind it is so profound. May I know God like THIS. May I find my contentment like THIS. Amazing.

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  4. A great choice of poetry to feature today. Yes, this song is a great example of emotional rest. It's where I *want* to be all the time, but fall short... Lord, have mercy.

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  5. I love how you explain emotional rest with songs and poetry. It speaks to my heart so much.

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  6. One of my favorite hymns! It really does embody emotional rest.

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  7. aah...reading the words to this classic sure does bring rest to my soul. Thank You for sharing this song. "blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul."

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  8. The author of this song went through the worst trials anyone could endure and yet chose to say, "It is well with my soul." Honestly, I'm a long way from being able to say that with assurance and trust. But I agree with your quote that the Lord reaches out and grasps up and doesn't let go. If He didn't, we could never make it. He is so faithful.

    Blessings,
    Janis
    Came from Faith Barista

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