I was my daddy’s daughter, forever his little girl so when he passed from earth to heaven a part of me went with him. However, a part of him stayed here with me. You see, so early on in my childhood years that I don’t remember when – my daddy imparted his faith to me in every word and deed. He was not a perfect man – nor am I a perfect woman – but he had trusted in the Perfect Lamb and led me to do the same. Through all the years of his life I heard Him praise God in the good times and watched Him lean on God through the hard times – and he taught me to do the same. While I grieve, I do not grieve as one without hope because he taught me that Jesus died and was raised to life again, (1 Thessalonians 4:14) so that in joy or in sorrow I can truly say, “It is well with my soul”, a line from His favorite hymn by the same name.
The song was written by Horatio Spafford in 1873 and is still popular today. I have shared it below – borrowed from an online anonymous blogger who gives not only the song’s lyrics but the accompanying Scriptures. They are a perfect example and reference for the Faith that he passed on to me.
Verse 1:
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
Isaiah 66:12 For thus says the LORD, “Behold, I extend peace to her like a river, And the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; And you will be nursed, you will be carried on the hip and fondled on the knees.
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Psalm 42:7 Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me.
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 2:
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
Romans 5:6-8 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
1 Peter 1:18-19 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
Verse 3:
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
1 Peter 2:24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
Colossians 2:13-14 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Hebrew 13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
Verse 4:
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face ; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
Mark 14:62 And Jesus said, “I am ; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
Even so, it is well with my soul.
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ
