“Saved alone. What shall I do?” ~ Anna Spafford

Horatio and Anna Spafford had the “perfect” life in the late 1860’s. Living in a northern Chicago suburb they were blessed with five children, Annie, Maggie, Bessie, Tanetta and Horatio, Jr.

Horatio had a very successful law practice and was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. And at that time he and Anna were devout in their Christian faith. The well-known evangelist, Dwight L. Moody, was a good friend of theirs and visited in their home frequently.

In 1870 their faith began to be tested. Their son, Horatio Jr. died of scarlet fever. Shortly after that in October, 1871, the Great Chicago Fire broke out and Horatio, a wealthy man who had almost all of his investments in real estate by the Lake Michigan shore, lost nearly everything.

By 1873, Anna Spafford was not feeling well. Horatio thought that a trip to Europe would help put the loss of their son and the tragic fire behind them and help Anna recover. They would set sail on the French steamer Ville du Havre to Europe with their four daughters. Spafford also planned to use this trip to help Evangelists Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey in revivals they were having in England.

The day the Spafford family was to set sail for Europe, Horatio had a business emergency arise and, not wanting to disappoint the family, decided to send Anna and the girls on ahead. He planned to follow on another ship in a few days.

On November 22, 1873 the Ville du Havre was struck by the Lockhearn, a British iron sailing ship. It sank in twelve minutes in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. With 307 passengers and crew members on board only 81 survived the tragedy.

Sadly, all four of Spafford’s daughters drowned in the disaster but his wife survived. She sent a wire to her husband that said, “Saved alone. What shall I do?”

Spafford quickly boarded a boat to meet Anna in England and it was on his way there that he penned the lyrics to the song, “It Is Well With My Soul”. Philip Bliss later added the music to this beautiful hymn we love today.

The majority of us cannot fathom a catastrophe and heartbreak of the magnitude that the Spafford’s had to endure. It is unthinkable to lose one child let alone all of your children. Yet in times of deepest despair, where else would we turn but to the Giver of life?

Even when there is no answer, no reason for the grief, we turn to the One who gives comfort, who provides relief when no one else can.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1.

He is our stronghold, our peace, our rock! When Jesus ascended into heaven He promised we would not be left comfortless.

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:16-18.

So what did He do? He told the disciples to “…wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; be ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”  Acts 1:4,5.

So they did! They waited in that Upper Room just like He said, and good ole’ Peter started preaching.  “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:2-4.

That Comforter is Christ in US, the Hope of Glory! If you have been filled with His Spirit then you have the Comforter living in you, living, breathing, working inside of you! You whisper His name, He is there!

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” Nahum 1:7 ESV.

It’s not something you have to work for, something you have to conjure up or pray through to. He is there. Always. You can pull Him up like a blanket and feel secure, warm and comforted in His love.

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22,23.

What do you need from the Comforter today? Is it well with your soul? Is there peace in your heart? If not, seek Him! Follow His Word. If you need direction please feel free to email me at ynannette@gmail.com, I would be happy to pray with you and help you in your journey to know Him.

Blessings friends…all because of The Comforter.