Why do we have a "Song of Assurance"?
Why Do We Have a Song of Assurance?
Understanding Assurance: It Is Well
His face sank, his shoulders slumped, and his heart pounded erratically as he read the telegram that simply said, “Saved alone.” Horatio Spafford was just told by his wife, Anna, that she had arrived safely in England by ship. Horatio had sent his wife and four daughters ahead because of unexpected business meetings in Chicago. He was no stranger to bad news; just two years earlier, Horatio faced financial ruin when the Great Chicago Fire destroyed his investment properties.
At this moment, however, he could not have prepared to hear one of the greatest fears every father has come true. On the way to England, the ship carrying Horatio’s family collided with another vessel and sank quickly, killing 226 people. Anna was “saved alone,” as she reported, which meant their four daughters, Annie, Maggie, Bessie, and Tanetta, had all been lost at sea in this tragedy.
Can you imagine the heartache? As I write this, my heart as a Daddy to my three daughters feels heavy. The pain I would feel would be immense. In such a situation, there is a high likelihood of overwhelming feelings of false guilt. “What if I didn’t send them on ahead of me? If only I had been a better businessman and worked harder for my family! This is my fault.” With each internal accusation comes blame, unintended pain, and isolation. We may feel like we’re capable of forgiving others but find ourselves unable to admit our own need for assured forgiveness.
Without assurance, we tend to live aimlessly in a world damaged by sin, causing chaos around us in both what we can control and what we cannot. If you've experienced grief, disappointment, loneliness, anger, or shame, then you can relate.
Soon after receiving this devastating news, Horatio traveled to England to meet his grieving wife. As he passed near the site in the Atlantic Ocean where his four daughters perished, he was moved to write these heart-stirring words:
When peace like a river, attends my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, You have taught me to know
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
A song in the night, oh my soul!
With waves crashing against the boat, saline air filling his nostrils, and perhaps an inner image of his four daughters’ final moments, Horatio wrote the lyrics to the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul.” To this day, the hymn (first and last verses above) remains a frequently used source of reassurance in Church liturgy. Considering the historical roots of this song of assurance, we gain a better understanding of how vital assurance is to experiencing Jesus during our Sunday morning gathering. We imagine this grieving man on his way to be with his mourning wife, recalling the death of his children, all while in the middle of the ocean.
Have you ever felt like this? Hope feels far away. The pain is real. Forgiveness and understanding of what has happened seem impossible. Exhausting. So then, where does assurance come from?
Why We Celebrate Assurance
Assurance is rooted in God's promises. Romans 8:1 reminds us, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Liturgy helps reinforce these promises during our Sunday gatherings through the Word, readings, and music. We are reminded through assurance that our confidence comes from God, not our feelings or works. Yet, because of God’s grace, we do experience the inward evidence of the Spirit working in our lives. Therefore, no matter our circumstances, mood on a Sunday morning, or any doubts we may have now, we can sing confidently the song of assurance that our salvation is secure because it doesn’t depend on us. This is why we take a moment at Missio to observe the assurance that is ours because of Christ’s promises.
There have been many times when the days leading up to Sunday have been challenging. Sometimes, suffering spans entire seasons. Regardless of my circumstances or internal struggles, the freedom to confidently embrace assurance allows me to walk with confidence in my faith, thanks to the finished work of Jesus.
This week, take a moment to prayerfully find a quiet space, close your eyes, and listen to these various arrangements of “It Is Well With My Soul.”
Anthony Evans, Jr. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZA7chS9PN0&list=RDpZA7chS9PN0&start_radio=1
Celtic Worship https://youtu.be/GGTjTrzPrs8?si=t3kvtQqe33grCHs-
Lifetree Kids https://youtu.be/YwJMah_qaB8?si=o_yYQFqVy-sKNXot
Austin Stone https://youtu.be/UsZfjHr_6e4?si=IKaI_EmQaDPKjmS8
Submitted by Mikey Conrad