IT IS WELL
1. THE HISTORY BEHIND THE SONG
a) The words were written by Horatio Spafford in 1873.
b) He was a successful Lawyer who had invested in property in Chicago that was destroyed in the the great Chicago fire of 1871.
c) In 1873 he planned to travel to England with his family to help with Moodys evangelistic campaigns.
d) He had to stay behind for business but sent his family ahead on the ship names SS Ville du Havre, in the way they ship crashed into another boat and sank, all four daughters died and only his wife survived.
e) Upon hearing the news Spafford immediately boarded a ship to go be with his grieving wife, when he got to the spot where the Ville du Havre sank, he penned this song.
f) The song shows Spafford faith and hope in Christ and his finished work, and this is why we can sing it today to edify the Body of Christ.
2. VERSE 1-3
a) Verse 1 and 2 teach us contentment and the reason why.
• Peace or sorrow, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well – Phil 4:11-13
• Though Satan should buffet – Eph 2:2-3, 6:11-12, 2Cor 12:7
• Though trials may come – 2Cor 4:17, 11:23-30, 2Tim 4:5.
• Let this blessed assurance control – This is how doctrine and faith works, what you learn and believe from the word of God should affect how you think and react to situations. Just like it did with Horatio Spafford.
• Christ has regarded my helpless estate – Job 7:17, 15:14, Psalm 8:4. Rom 3:10-26
• And hath shed his own blood for my soul – This is why we have assurance of salvation and forgiveness if sin – Rom 3:26, 5:9, Eph 1:7, 2:13.
b) It is this understanding of what Christ has provided you and all the spiritual blessings and hope of glory that you have that can teach is to be content in any situation – 1Tim 6:6-8.
3. THE NECESSITY TO RIGHTLY DIVIDE HYMNS
a) The reason for singing together – Col 3:16 – This is why songs need to be doctrinally correct.
b) We know we will not go through the tribulation or the day of Gods wrath – 1Thess 4:13-18, 1:10, 5:9, Rom 5:9 – Isa 13:9,13:13.
c) Verse 4 originally sings about an event surrounding the day of Gods wrath which will not be a day where men say it is well.
• The clouds be rolled back as a scroll – This is really the only incorrect phrase that could cause doctrinal confusion - Isaiah 34:4-6, Rev 1:7 – cf 1Thess 4:17
• The Lord shall descend – To earth? Or in the clouds? Isaiah 66:15-17 vs 1Thess 4:16
d) For clarity and right doctrine made clear the words were changed in the 4th verse to speak of our rapture – 1Thess 4:13-18, 1Cor 15:51-57.
e) It speaks of our blessed hope that we look for – Tit 2:13
