It is Well with My Soul

Most people know the story behind this hymn, but I’ll repeat it again, just in case some readers haven’t heard it.  Horatio Spafford, an attorney was close to Dwight Moody and decided to visit Moody’s evangelistic meetings in England. At the last minute an urgent business matter detained Spafford in Chicago, so his wife and four daughters boarded the ocean liner alone, and he planned to follow.  On November 22, 1873, the ship collided with an iron sailing vessel and sank.  Spafford’s wife was rescued, but all of his children perished.  He immediately book passage to join his wife in Wales, where the survivors were taken.  The evening his ship passed over the place where his family’s ship went down, Spafford was unable to sleep.  He told himself, “It is well;  the will of God be done.”  Later he wrote his famous hymn based on these words.  (the melody was written by Philip Bliss).  It is truly a tribute to enduring tribulation with faith.

Like a Shepherd Lead Us

When I wrote a previous post, talking about leaders as shepherds, I was reminded of this hymn.  The writer is unknown, but it first appeared in a children’s hymnal compiled by Dorothy Thrump  in 1832;  turns out adults like it, too.  The words are clearly inspired by the 23rd Psalm, and Christ’s words in the 10th chapter of John:  “I am the good shepherd.”

An interesting story about  how this hymn saved a life was reported by Ira Stankey,, a musician who worked closely with Dwight Moody.  Follow the link below if you would like to read it:

https://www.sermonwriter.com/hymn-stories/savior-like-shepherd-lead-us/

Then enjoy this one, as I do!

 

Trust and Obey