It Is Well With My Soul
A Sermon based on
the hymn by Horatio G. Spafford
Introduction
“It Is Well With My
Soul” is a hymn born from unimaginable loss but brimming with unshakable
faith. Written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873 after the tragic death of
his four daughters at sea, this song is a testimony to the Christian’s
peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). Spafford penned
the words as his ship passed the very location where his daughters had
drowned, expressing not grief’s triumph, but the triumph of hope.
This hymn is more
than poetic—it’s doctrinal, theological, and profoundly personal. It
acknowledges life’s sorrows while clinging to the promises of Christ.
Romans 8:28 declares that “all things work together for good to those
who love God,” and this hymn echoes that eternal truth. Through
suffering, the believer learns that true peace does not come from the
absence of storms but from the presence of Jesus Christ.
Each stanza walks us
through the gospel, from affliction to atonement to anticipation. This
hymn leads our hearts not to despair, but to assurance—even when the
world crumbles. Let us now explore each stanza of this timeless hymn and
renew our hope in the One who makes all things well with the soul.
Stanza 1
“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.”
This verse expresses
the tension between calm and chaos. Sometimes peace flows like a river
(Isaiah 66:12); other times sorrow crashes like waves. Yet through both,
the faithful soul learns contentment. Paul says in Philippians 4:11, “I
have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” That contentment
doesn’t come from circumstance but from the unchanging character of God.
Spafford could say, “It is well,” because his hope was anchored in the
eternal.
Stanza 2
“Though Satan should
buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control:
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.”
The Christian is not
exempt from trials or attacks. Satan buffets us (2 Corinthians 12:7),
but we are not left helpless. Our “blessed assurance” is that Jesus has
seen us in our lost condition and acted—He died for us! Romans 5:8
reminds us, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This
stanza points us back to the cross as the anchor of our peace.
Stanza 3
“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!”
This stanza explodes
with gospel joy. Colossians 2:14 says that our sins were “nailed to the
cross.” The power of Christ’s atonement is total—He bore the full weight
of our guilt. The phrase “not in part but the whole” highlights the
completeness of forgiveness. Isaiah 1:18 tells us, “Though your sins are
like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” No wonder Spafford
repeats: “Praise the Lord!”
Stanza 4
“And, Lord, haste
the day when the 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.”
This final stanza
looks forward to the return of Christ. It echoes 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17
and Revelation 6:14. Faith gives way to sight. Hope becomes reality. The
Lord descends—and the faithful rise. Until then, we wait in peace,
knowing the end is glory. Even in death or distress, we proclaim: “It is
well.”
It Is Well With My Soul Sermon
Outline:
Introduction
-
Author: Horatio
G. Spafford
-
Theme: Peace in
Christ amid suffering
-
Key Verse:
Philippians 4:7 – “Peace of God... will guard your hearts”
Stanza 1 –
Peace Amid Sorrows
-
Isaiah 66:12 –
Peace like a river
-
Philippians 4:11
– Learned contentment
-
Job 1:21 – “The
Lord gave and the Lord has taken away…”
Stanza 2 –
Assurance Through Christ’s Love
-
2 Corinthians
12:7 – Satan’s buffet
-
Romans 5:8 –
Christ died for us
-
Hebrews 4:15–16
– Our compassionate High Priest
Stanza 3 –
Complete Forgiveness Through the Cross
-
Colossians 2:14
– Sins nailed to the cross
-
Isaiah 1:18 –
Sins made white as snow
-
Psalm 103:12 –
Removed as far as the east from the west
Stanza 4 – Hope
of Christ’s Return
-
1 Thessalonians
4:16–17 – Lord shall descend
-
Revelation 6:14
– Clouds rolled back
-
2 Corinthians
5:7 – We walk by faith, not sight
Call to Action
Can you say with
confidence, “It is well with my soul”? That peace only comes through
Christ. To make it well with your soul, obey the gospel: believe in
Jesus (John 8:24), repent of your sins (Luke 13:3), confess Him as Lord
(Romans 10:9–10), and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts
2:38). Then walk in the peace and hope that only Christ provides—no
matter what waves may roll.
Scripture Reference List
Philippians 4:7 –
The peace of God will guard your hearts
Isaiah 66:12 – Peace like a river
Philippians 4:11 – Learned to be content
Job 1:21 – The Lord gave and has taken away
2 Corinthians 12:7 – Thorn in the flesh from Satan
Romans 5:8 – While we were sinners, Christ died
Hebrews 4:15–16 – Come boldly to the throne of grace
Colossians 2:14 – Sins nailed to the cross
Isaiah 1:18 – Sins made white as snow
Psalm 103:12 – Sins removed far from us
1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 – The Lord shall descend
Revelation 6:14 – The sky rolled back like a scroll
2 Corinthians 5:7 – Walk by faith, not sight
John 8:24 – Believe in Jesus
Luke 13:3 – Repent or perish
Romans 10:9–10 – Confess Jesus as Lord
Acts 2:38 – Repent and be baptized
Song History
Horatio Spafford
wrote “It Is Well With My Soul” in the aftermath of profound personal
tragedy. After losing his four daughters in a shipwreck, he was moved to
write this hymn while traveling over the very waters where their ship
went down. The music was composed by Philip P. Bliss. Despite sorrow,
this hymn proclaims the peace of a soul anchored in Christ—a testimony
that continues to inspire millions today.
Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO
 |
The
church of Christ
