Peace Like A River

Peace like a River

Bible Blast: Read Isaiah 26:2-4

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

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.

These words are the first verse of the well-known hymn “It Is Well,” written by Horatio Spafford back in the 1800s. The words by themselves are beautiful and challenging; they remind us that no matter what happens, we have peace in Christ. But when you know the story behind these words, they mean so much more.

Horatio Spafford lived in Chicago with his wife, Anna, and their four daughters and one son. One year, the Spaffords decided to vacation in Europe, but right before they were to set sail, Horatio had to take care of some business. He told Anna to take their four daughters and go ahead of him. He would leave a few days later to meet them in Europe. So Anna and the girls boarded the SS Ville du Havre and began the journey across the ocean.

Along the way, the SS Ville du Havre was struck by another ship, and it sank very quickly, killing many people. Anna Spafford survived, but all four daughters drowned. Anna sent a telegram to her husband that read, “Saved alone.”

Horatio made arrangements to get on a ship and bring his wife back to Chicago. As he sailed, the captain came to him at one point to tell him that they were going over the location where the SS Ville du Havre had sunk. As Horatio looked across the water, he was inspired to write the words to “It Is Well.”

When our hearts belong to Jesus, peace is always there for us. We know that no matter what happens, good or bad, nothing can take Jesus or heaven from us. Horatio Spafford knew his girls were in heaven, and that gave him great peace.

Girl Gab: If you have a hymnal, look up the rest of the verses to “It Is Well.” If you don’t have one, go ahead and look them up online. Talk about what those words must have meant to Horatio and Anna Spafford.