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Grace & Salvation

Oh Is It Really Well

Listen first. Then read the words, explore the Scripture pathway, and follow the song beyond itself to Jesus.

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*Verse 1** Ohhhh—in the beginning of it all— In the garden—with the first of every man— It was actually well—with all—all was going— According to God’s plan— But that was then— Before man brought in—his own sin! So now—as you can probably tell— nothing is at all—well! **Verse 2** Now listen—there are many that try to declare— “It is well—it is well with their soul!!” But I’m not sure how that—they can tell— Without first telling Jesus, “I acknowledge that You are Him—You are the One—that when I accept You—my soul will then be well!” **Chorus** Ohhh—you gotta surrender to Him—then you can tell—how accepting Jesus —has made your soul—oh so well!! And then—world will have no reluctance— When they see your demonstrated acceptance— And your full dependance—on Him— With an unwavering commitment—to the Savior— And how He’s changed you—and your prior behavior— Then GO TELL!! Tell the world—every part and the whole— Ohhhh—It is very well—with your soul!! **Bridge** Ohhhh—you’re not being very sincere with God, or yourself— If you proclaim, “It is well!” If by His teachings you say you live—and the world cannot tell. And lest any man should boast—this one thing I know— I dare not brag or boast of anything I’ve done— It was Him and Him alone— Who came from Heaven—and found me, and then with great mercy— He knocked at my heart’s door— And I let Him in!! And He is in—forevermore!! **Verse 3** Oh my friend— If at your heart—you’ve ever heard Jesus knocking— Just open the door—and you do all the talking— “Jesus! Please come in! Forgive me of my sin!” “I accept your gift of salvation!” Then and only then—can you sing and proclaim— It is well with your soul—in Jesus name! **Bridge** Oh to you—and us all—CHRIST comes to us first— Asking for a leap of faith—as He draws near— Ohhh—how He takes away our fear— And from a cup—He filled at the cross—He quenches our every thirst! **Tag** Ohhh—once broken—now He’s made me whole— Through blinded eyes—I now can see—Best move I ever made— Letting Jesus draw near to me— And forever—it is so well—with my soul!
Ministry Devotional

Oh Is It Really Well

Read together: Genesis 3:1–10; Jeremiah 6:13–14; Romans 5:1–2; James 2:14–18; Ephesians 2:8–9

"It Is Well with My Soul" is one of the most beloved hymns ever written. Many people sing it at funerals, in hard seasons, or simply because it is beautiful. This song asks a bold question about it: Oh, is it really well?

The first verse goes back to the beginning. In the garden, everything was well—all was going according to God's plan. Read Genesis 3:1–10. Then came the serpent's lie, the first disobedience, and the first hiding. Adam and Eve, who had walked with God, now hid from Him among the trees. But that was then, before man brought in his own sin. So now, as you can probably tell, nothing is at all well!

That is the honest starting point of the gospel. Things are not well in the world, and they are not well in us. Sin has broken our relationship with God.

The second verse makes a pointed observation. Many try to declare, "It is well with my soul!"—but I'm not sure how they can tell. It is possible to sing the words without the reality. Read Jeremiah 6:13–14. God rebuked prophets and priests who "dress the wound of My people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace." Saying "all is well" does not make it so.

So how can it truly be well? The song answers clearly: You gotta surrender to Him. Read Romans 5:1–2. "Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Peace with God is not a mood. It is a new standing, given to those who trust Jesus. When the hymn writer penned "It is well," he was not describing easy circumstances—he had suffered devastating loss. He was describing a soul at peace with God through Christ, even in grief.

The chorus adds something else: when it is truly well with your soul, the world will see your demonstrated acceptance… how He's changed you and your prior behavior. Read James 2:14–18. James asks what good it is if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds. "I will show you my faith by my deeds." Real faith shows. Not perfectly, but genuinely.

The bridge keeps this from turning into pride. Lest any man should boast—I dare not brag of anything I've done. It was Him and Him alone who came from heaven and found me. Read Ephesians 2:8–9. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." Changed behavior is the fruit of salvation, never the root.

And the third verse is an invitation. If at your heart you've ever heard Jesus knocking, just open the door… "Jesus, please come in! Forgive me of my sin!" Notice the order the song gives: Christ comes to us first. He knocks before we open. He draws near before we take the leap of faith.

If you have been singing "It is well" without being sure, today you can settle it. Come to Jesus, confess your sin, and receive His gift. Then you will be able to sing those words and mean them.

A moment to respond: Read Romans 5:1 and ask yourself honestly: Do I have peace with God through Jesus, or am I just hoping it is well? If you are unsure, pray the song's simple prayer: "Jesus, please come in. Forgive me of my sin. I accept Your gift of salvation." If you are sure, ask God to show you one area where your life could more clearly demonstrate that change.

Let's pray: Lord, we confess that because of sin, things are not well in the world or in us. Thank You that Jesus came to us first and made peace with God possible through His cross. For anyone singing "It is well" without knowing You, open their hearts to receive You today. Let our lives show what You have done, and keep us from boasting in anything but You. Amen.

Our desire at UnrelentingJesus is that when you sing "It is well with my soul," it would be true—because Jesus has made it so.

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