Above is a photograph of Horatio Spafford. Horatio lived in Chicago in the mid-late 1800's. He was an attorney, successful real estate owner and family man. He had a wonderful wife, 4 daughters and 1 boy. One day, his son came down with an illness. Shortly afterwards he died of scarlet fever. Soon after that, the great Chicago fire destroyed much of his properties. He and his family were devastated. He decided to have has family go on a vacation to Europe to get their minds off of the recent tragedies. Right before they were scheduled to depart, an urgent business matter forced the family to board the ship without Horatio. He told them he'd be a few days late.

Later on, Horatio hears word that a ship, sailing in smooth seas, struck a fishing vessel. The ship sank in 2 hours. He then received a telegram from his wife with two words: "Arrived Alone." In the course of two years Horatio lost his son, 4 daughters and a fortune. He boarded the next ship to Europe to go be with his wife. During the ride, the captain of his ship approached Horatio and took him up to the deck. He told him that they are at the location the previous ship went down. Overcome with emotion, Horatio went into his room and penned a poem and shared his thoughts. The overbearing wave of emotion that came upon him urged him to write these words:

"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."

Has your peaceful, comfortable life been devastated by tragedy? Have the rolling sea billows become too difficult to bear? How do you respond? Keep in mind, our Jesus is the same Jesus when we reach the mountain top of achievement or fall to the valley of desperation. Rely on Him! Let Jesus make it well with your soul.