"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living." (Psalm 27:13) "And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:26)

Horatio G. Spafford, a successful Chicago lawyer, lost most of his wealth in the financial crisis of 1873. He sent his wife and four daughters on a trip to France; but on their way, their ship was struck by another, and sank. Of 225 passengers, only 87 of them survived.

Mrs. Spafford was among the survivors, but the four daughters perished. As soon as she reached land, she telegraphed to her husband: "Saved alone. Children lost. What shall I do?"

Spafford left for France to join his wife and return her to Chicago. In the depth of this bereavement, he wrote his only hymn: It is Well With My Soul. Perhaps the words of the first stanza will take on new meaning for us, as we ponder them.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrow like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot,

Thou hast taught me to say,

"It is well, it is well with my soul."