It is Well, With my Soul

It is well; it is well, with my soul

This hymn was written by a man who had just lost his wife and children in an unexpected accident. He wrote it while he was passing by the place where their accident had occurred.

This life is riddled with tragedy of all sorts. Some trials are not as extreme as death, but many things happen that can get the best of us and shift our focus.

This year has been filled with different traces of death for me. My school was impacted by death when senior, Nick Davis, was killed in an accident. My church and friends were impacted by death when, Joel Macurio, was killed in another accident. Most recently, my family was impacted by death when my Aunt Debbie died of cancer on March 25, 2013.

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.

In thinking about death, what we can see is the hole that these people have left in our lives today. From our point of view, this life is all that we know and can see. Death brings mystery, pain of loss, and sadness for loved ones who feel the loss. But, it also brings hope.

            While the earthly finality of death can bring a shadow of sadness, the hope that Jesus has overcome and conquered death can bring the light of joy.

            While on the cross, facing his own death, Jesus was insulted and mocked. People claimed that he did not have power to save himself; however, Jesus willingly submitted to God’s plan for him and took on death.

            Later, the family and friends of Jesus were morning and void of hope because they believed that Jesus had come to save them—death was not part of the plan. It was a shock, just as it is a shock to loose a loved one for us now. All they had were the memories, the hole where he was missing from their lives, and the final picture of the suffering he underwent before death.

           

            Some women, who were close friends of Jesus, went early the morning of the Sunday after Jesus had died to put some spices his body. When they reached the place where Jesus had been buried, though, the body was not there. Instead, they were greeted by an angel, who proclaimed that Jesus had risen! Later, they encountered the risen Jesus, and were filled with hope and joy from the knowledge that not only was Jesus alive, but so would then, be those who believe in Jesus.

            This is the same hope that we have for those who we have lost today. Their faith and trust in Christ as Lord and Savior enables them to be at home in heaven.

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.

Paul reassures the Corinthian believers that their Christian loved ones, who have passed, are with Christ. 1 Corinthians 15: 20-22 “ But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”

            Although we miss our loved ones and grieve for the place where they were in our lives, we can find hope and solace in knowing that they are alive and waiting for us to return home to heaven. 

Therefore we can say, it is well with 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.