Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It Is Well with My Soul (1873)
By: Horatio G. Spafford, (1828-1888)
Listen to this beautiful version as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.
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Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
We continue our journey through one of the most beloved of all hymns, with one of the most poignant, yet inspiring, stories. If you do not know the story, you may watch more about it here. Wellness of soul is able to be maintained when we learn how to find confidence in Christ to overcome temptations and trials. Let’s tune our hearts.
Rising Above the Waves
In the first stanza, we pondered how to achieve and maintain wellness when sorrows like sea billows roll. Let’s continue that oceanic imagery as we consider how Satan buffets us and trials come. Like the ship in the storm above, each of us faces difficulties that threaten to undo us at times by unraveling our confidence in God. We must prepare for those challenges before they come.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Have you ever considered the possibility that, even when Satan harasses and trials come, God may have allowed or even designed them for our good? This can be a hard pill to swallow, but if we are able to comes to terms with this, it will give us a perspective that allows us to see them very differently. Think about Paul’s words here, and remember from the previous stanza how we considered his resolve to be content in every circumstance.
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 2 Corinthians 12:7 ESV
Wow! Could God be allowing Satan to harass you and other trials to come to keep you humbly growing in your trust in Him? This is not just likely, it is probable.
Though you feel like that ship above, tossed and thrown about through the tempest, you can remain on top of the waves no matter what comes, if you can cultivate a measure of inner peace and wellness. How do we do that? We look to the One who makes the difference in every circumstance, for He is for us, not against us. More on that below, but first…
RESONATE!
Name the tempests you find yourself in today, the trials and tests, whether from the tempter or elsewhere. Identifying the challenges we face is an important part of overcoming them. Once you have named them, bring them to God. He wants to help you. Make the list of the things that are creating havoc in your heart, and we will deal with them in our next section. For now, ask God to give you His perspective on each of them.
By Anchoring In Christ
Let this blest assurance control,
Later in this stanza, we will look more closely at exactly what assurance the hymn writer is talking about, but for now, look at that anchor. Until I went searching for an image for anchor in this context, it had never occurred to me how most anchors have a cross in them. Though uncertain about the reasons for this, it certainly makes sense from our perspective. After all, look at these words.
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, Hebrews 6:19 ESV
When the tempests rage and the trails come, they fight against the sure and steadfast anchor of our souls, the hope we have in the cross and what Christ accomplished there. Like the chain that connects our soul to Christ, the Holy Spirit reminds us of that sure and steadfast hope as often as we have need to be reminded. Our blest assurance is the cross of Jesus, and the presence it promises us, even in the midst of our trials.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 ESV
Things get dark at times, but we need not fear any evil for the cross convinces us of Christ’s comfort in affliction. What a Good Shepherd He is to us, bringing confidence even into our suffering. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak that assurance to you today, especially if you are feeling the darkness of some current valley, or ocean floor.
RESONATE!
Do you have this assurance? Have you yielded your life to Jesus Christ, allowing Him to become the anchor for your soul? If not, do it today. If you have, thank Him for being that anchor, and commit to staying connected to Him with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus, thank You for being the anchor for my soul. The wellness I experience flows from that hope. Whenever I feel it slipping away, may Your Spirit connect me to it once again. All my hope is in You, Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Content Tuning!
Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.
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Video 18.2 Transcript
Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
Satan buffets or afflicts and harms us repeatedly along our journey with Christ. Trials certainly come, some brought on by our choices and some by others. Trouble is a companion to all, but God desires to use it to bring us to Himself. Ask Him to clarify that perspective of yours.
John 3:36 says “anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life”. That is our assurance. We face difficulties, but we do so against the backdrop of the cross and all Jesus accomplished there. Ask God to help you use that assurance to control you today, and in every trial.
Helpless. We do not like to admit that, but our sin has made it so. It separates us from God with no hope of bridging the chasm it created…but for Christ. He regarded our helpless position or estate. Thank Him for the cross again today, and how it demonstrates His regard for us.
“Greater love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13. There was no better way Jesus could express His regard for our helpless estate than what He did on the cross. It accomplished eternal wellness for our souls. Give Him praise now and always!
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.
Sing
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, be Resonant.
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