“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be 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.”
The story behind this great hymn is a perfect example of how peace can be found in the Lord even after a tragedy.
Horatio G. Spafford and his family were scheduled to travel from the United States to Europe. Delayed by pressing business, Spafford sent his wife and daughters ahead. Their ship collided with another ship and sank in just twelve minutes. Spafford’s wife was saved, but his daughters perished. After arriving in Wales, Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband, “Saved alone.” Spafford then left by boat to meet her. Near the tragic scene on the high seas, he wrote the words that became the song.
Even in his great sorrow, he found peace in knowing that the Lord was still in control. We are not promised a life without trials. Times of sorrow will befall all of us. It may seem that everything is going against us. But no matter what we are going through, Jesus has promised to give us peace.
- John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
- Romans 2:10 “But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good.”
- Romans 5:1 “ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace.”
- Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have they which love thy law:”
Thought For Today: Because I know the Prince of Peace, I will trust Him today, no matter what the day holds.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
