SUNDAY, APRIL 20, 2008

THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

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Dear Friends in Our Lord Jesus:

A 43-year-old Chicago businessman and his wife had just buried their only son when the Great Fire of 1871 broke out and destroyed all of their earthly possessions.

But their faith in God remained strong. The man arranged for his wife and four daughters to travel to England to take part in a preaching revival led by their close friend Dwight L. Moody, the great evangelist and teacher. The man would be joining his family in a few weeks.

But the ship -- the SS Ville de Havre -- was struck by an iron sailing vessel and sank within minutes. In all, 226 people died, including the couple's four daughters. As the survivors were brought ashore at Cardiff, Wales, the wife cabled her husband: "Saved alone."

The man took the next ship across the Atlantic. And as they were crossing the spot where the Ville de Havre went down, the man entered into a time of fervent prayer and supplication before the Lord. That night in his cabin, he wrote these words to a remarkable hymn of faith, hope, and love:

When peace like a river attendeth my way

When sorrows like sea-billows roll

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say

'It is well. It is well with my soul.'

And, Lord, haste the day when faith shall be sight

The clouds rolled back as a scroll

The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend

Even so -- It is well with my soul.

During this Easter season, let us hold fast to the unshakable faith in the Lord described by this amazing Christian man, Horatio G. Spafford. And let us remember the words of our Savior: "In the world you will have tribulation. But fear not. I have overcome the world" (John 16:33b).

-- The Very Rev. Dr. Steve Sellers +