Today’s verse, spoken near the end of Jesus’ life, is an excellent motto for the Believer: “Not my will, but Yours, be done.”

That means we will step through whatever door God unlocks. God is with us. God is for us. No matter what.

A hallway of heartbreaking doors opened for Horatio G. Spafford that, without this God-fearing motto, he could not have peacefully walked through.

Spafford suffered several grievous events, beginning with the passing of his four-year-old son from scarlet fever. Later that year, he lost extensive real estate in the great Chicago fire.

As his family tried to recover, he sent his wife and four daughters on a trip to England. But their ship, the SS Ville du Harve sank. Spafford lost all but his wife.

As he retraced that sorrowful voyage, Spafford penned the words,

“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.”

Even in tragedy, God opens doors. Rooted in Jesus, with a motto of faith to steady our feet, we can follow where our Father leads.