Unshakeable faith

Kenneth W. Osbeck, in his book 101 Hymn Stories, recounts the story of Horatio, was an attorney who had established a successful legal practice in the city of Chicago. He was a committed Christian who enjoyed a close relationship with the evangelist D. L. Moody and other ministers of that era. In the year 1873, he decided to take his family on a vacation to England, planning on visiting Moody, who would be preaching in various campaigns throughout the country. Due to a number of unexpected business developments, Horatio had to remain in Chicago; but he sent his family ahead: his wife Anna and their four daughters. While crossing the Atlantic on the steamship, the S.S. Ville du Havre, their vessel was struck by an iron sailing ship. The Ville du Havre sank in 12 minutes; 226 people lost their lives. All four of Horatio’s daughters perished, but miraculously, his wife Anna survived. Upon arriving at Cardiff, South Wales, Anna cabled her husband and said, “saved alone.” Shortly afterward, Horatio left by ship to join his bereaved wife.

The loss of their four daughters was utterly devastating, occasioning seasons of profound grief and sorrow. One might think that such a terrible tragedy would shake the very foundations of Horatio’s faith. Not so. Incredibly, his faith in God never faltered. For this is the story of Horatio Gates Spafford, the writer of the famous hymn, “It is Well with My Soul.” It was in the midst of this terrible tragedy and of deep suffering that he was inspired to write:

When peace like a river attendeth my way

When sorrows like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

We wonder and ask, “How is it possible for someone experiencing such unspeakable tragedy to write such a song and display such steadfast faith?!”

A similar confession of faith is found from the psalmist who wrote Psalm 46. He had experienced the chaos of nations, the instability of kingdoms, and the danger and tragedies of wars. In the midst of these hardships and challenges to his faith, he writes a song that declares God’s sovereignty over creation and divine care of humans:

God is our refuge and strength

a very present help in trouble

Therefore, we will not fear . . .

Be still, and know that I am God . . .

The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our fortress.

Inspired by this very song from Psalm 46, Martin Luther wrote the most powerful hymn of the Protestant Reformation, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing

Our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing

Osbeck, the author, said this hymn became “a great source of strength and inspiration even for those who were martyred for their convictions.” We marvel at these expressions of unshakeable faith. And again, we ask, “Really? How is it possible for Horatio, the psalmist, and Luther to boldly proclaim their faith in God in the very midst of hardship, sorrow, and suffering?  

And so today, we earnestly pray, as we face our own storms of life — God, grant to each of us this expression of mature faith, this gift of unshakable faith so that we also may sing songs of praise to you, Our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.

—Leo Ranzolin, ThD, is dean of the School of Religion.