By Paul Chappell
"Because sentence against an evil work is not executed
speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do
evil. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet
surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before
him: But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his
days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God."
Ecclesiastes 8:11–13
One of the best-loved hymns of the faith, "It Is Well
with My Soul," was written by Horatio Spafford. Mr. Spafford, a wealthy
businessman in Chicago ,
lost much of his real estate holdings in the Great Chicago Fire. After the
fire, he sent his wife and four daughters on a ship to Europe ,
intending to join them later. But the voyage was also struck by disaster, and
Spafford received a cable from his wife with the painful message, "Saved
alone."
Spafford quickly made arrangements to join his wife. When
they reached the spot where his daughters had drowned, Spafford marked that sad
event with words of hope: "When peace like a river attendeth my way; when
sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, 'It
is well, it is well with my soul.'"
These powerful words written in the midst of such pain are a
reminder to us today that, even though we may be enduring great suffering and
hardship, it is not the end of God’s plan for us. Sometimes God’s children get
discouraged because it appears that life is going better for those who are
doing wrong. Yet the end result of both paths is already settled. Those who
fear God will be able to say, "It is well." Those who oppose God will
quickly find that the end of their path is death and destruction. Keeping the
end result in mind helps us keep doing right.
Today's Rooted Principle:
God’s good results are already settled for those who love
and fear Him.
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