Horatio G. Spafford, a Presbyterian from Chicago, was a successful businessman and devout Christian. After losing his fortune in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and tragically losing his son, he faced further hardship. In 1873, his wife and four daughters set off to England, but their ship sank. Only his wife survived. He penned “It Is Well with My Soul” as he approached the area where it was believed his daughter’s ship sank. Like Horatio G. Spafford and the psalmists before, we are empowered to choose to live for and trust God in all things. When we make this choice, we can join the ranks and say, “It is well with my soul.”
Main Text: Psalm 42 (ESV)