March 6, 2010
Jesus never makes a mistake.
READ: Philippians 4:4-7
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:7
As the high school chorale prepared to sing Horatio G. Spafford’s classic hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul,” a teen stepped forward to tell the song’s familiar history. Spafford wrote the song while on a ship that was near the spot at sea where his four daughters perished.
As I listened to that introduction and then the words sung by the teenagers, a flood of emotions washed over me. “Where his four daughters perished” were hard words to grasp as I listened again to Spafford’s words of faith. Having lost one daughter suddenly, I find the idea of losing four unfathomable.
How could it be “well” for Spafford in his grief? I hear the words “When peace like a river attendeth my way” and remember where peace can be found. Paul says in Philippians 4 that it can be found as our heart-prayers are voiced to God (v.6). By trustful praying, we unburden our hearts, divest our anxieties, and release the grip on our grief. And we can gain “the peace of God” (v.7)—an inexplicable, divine calmness of spirit. This peace supersedes our ability to understand our circumstances (v.7), and it is a guard on our heart, through Jesus, that protects us enough to allow us to whisper, even in the pain, “It is well with my soul.” — Dave Branon
I had heard an unpleasant news just before I read today’s devotion. I felt very anxious and disturbed. As I read the passages, it was like God reminded me and told me exactly what to do, which was to bring all my anxieties to HIM in prayer, and trust HIM to take care of everything.
It wasn’t easy though. But that’s the best and wisest solution i could ever had. So, I’ll try my best God….
This whole morning has been anxious and unsettling for me too…. I’m going word-keep this verse today!