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 podcast below.
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Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below! It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
We begin 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. A path toward wellness of soul has been made available by our gracious God, but we must be willing to practice what we have learned, especially when it is not easy. Let’s think about this.
Remember
We do not like to admit, but our sin has made us helpless. It has bound us up, so we are not free. It has enslaved us in its unyielding machinations. It has blinded us to the reality of our circumstances. It has left us disheveled, bruised, and battered.
When we are honest with ourselves, in light of Christ’s regard for us, we begin to see all these things. Truly there are two wonders here. As another hymn writer put it, “The wonders of redeeming love, and my unworthiness” from Beneath the Cross of Jesus. In this text, the wonders are Christ’s regard and our helpless estate.
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
Though there are a number of New Testament Scriptures which speak to this duality, I like the fact that this Psalm foreshadows Christ’s regard, an expression of the steadfast love of God, even while we were in our low estate.
It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; Psalm 136:23 ESV
This is an archaic use of the word estate. Here is it referring to a condition in life. Our condition in life, or estate, was separation from the One who loves us forever, yet He chose to remember us. For those who do not now how the story ends, His remembering involved something about it, and it always does.
He sent His only Son to demonstrate His remembrance and effect a change in our estate through His work on the cross, which we will examine below. But first, it is important for us to remember our helpless estate, our unworthiness. Our remembering makes His even more remarkable and gracious.
RESONATE!
Step 1 Remember
You have likely resolved your helplessness by trusting in Christ’s work, but take a few moments to remember what that felt like. You are also likely to have succumb to the temptation to believe you have welcomed helplessness back in to your life when you have struggled with some sin. Once we are delivered from the helpless estate we were in, we do not return. But some of the work of Satan is to convince us we have returned, or worse still, never left. Lies. Once we trust in Christ’s regard for us, we are changed, but we must continually yield to the changing available in the same power that changed us at first. Remember your struggle, whether recent or distant, and praise Christ for His regard. Then vow to walk in it, under the influence of His Spirit.
Reckon
Having just reflected on how helpless we were, you may be inclined to wonder how true that may still be. This temptation makes it imperative that we understand and declare we are helpless NO MORE! This confidence rests solely and squarely on the finished work of Christ.
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
Christ’s regard for our helpless estate was expressed in the most extravagant and straightforward way possible by what He did on the cross. He allowed His blood to be shed when He laid down His life for us, for our souls. “Greater love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13. And put another way.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 ESV
Die to sin, and live to righteousness. He had regard for our souls when He invited us to die to sin by dying for our sin. He shed His blood to free us from sin’s curse and make it possible for us to live to righteousness. So how is that going for you?
RESONATE!
Step 2 Reckon
No matter what temptations or trials come, Jesus has made a way for us, out of death and into life. Wellness of soul. But we have to consider ourselves dead to sin, and alive to Christ routinely, otherwise sin creeps in and robs us of our inheritance. Is there any sin you are cultivating which is simulating death? Weed it out and die to it today. Is there any righteousness you are neglecting which could stimulate life? Nurture it and find a more vibrant life today. Take a few minutes and pray about this.
Jesus, thank You for shedding Your blood for my soul. You have already made available to me wellness of soul, and escape from death and an invitation to abundant life. Help me to control my reactions to temptations and trials with the assurance of Your regard for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Well Thinking!
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Podcast 18.2 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
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
In the first stanza, we are challenged by Paul’s contentment no matter the circumstances. Here we are warned that Satan will harass and trials will come, but we can trust God and His purposes through them. Ask God to help you be ready when these things happen.
Let this blest assurance control,
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
And we return again to this familiar Psalm, here allowing it to put a context on our suffering and a confidence through it that our Good Shepherd is with us. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak that assurance to you today, especially if you are feeling the darkness of some current valley.
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; Psalm 136:23 ESV
Even the Old Testament foretells the work of Christ on the cross, the greatest demonstration of God’s love for us. We were helplessly separated from Him by our sin, and He made a way to change that circumstance. Thank Jesus for remembering you, and showing His love.
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 ESV
And here is the great act of love that assures wellness of soul, Christ’s blood shed on the cross. He died to give us life eternal and paid our penalty to redeem our souls. Give Him praise for His selfless sacrifice which allows you to say, “It is well with my soul.”
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.
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.
Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, Be Resonant.
The post Two Steps to Take to Leave Helplessness Behind You appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
Christ Hath Regarded My Helpless Estate – https://pixabay.com/photos/composing-woman-fantasy-surreal-2391005/
Christ Shed His Own Blood for My Soul – https://pixabay.com/photos/christ-nails-stigmata-religion-2363694/
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