In a world where God's believing people suffer so many afflictions (Psalm 34:19), are often tempted and distressed with doubts and fears, and are frequently the objects of abuse and persecution, it is needful that they be reminded, and assured, that it shall be well with them. During those times when they are suffering, when the whole world seems to be against them and providence seems to be frowning upon everything they do, it can be very difficult for them to believe that it shall be well with them, but in spite of their doubts it still remains true that God cannot fail them and they will ultimately prevail and join in victory's joyful song. He is as much their God in their perplexities as He is in their triumphs, and after awhile, by His grace and the merits of a crucified Saviour they will have overcome sin, Satan, death, hell and the grave. 

    No matter what the temporal circumstances of the child of God, there is a sense in which it is well with him. Even when he makes for himself a hell on earth by his disobedience, there is still a sense in which it is well with him, for he is still embraced in the covenant of grace, the Father-son relationship between him and God cannot be broken, and the promises of the covenant cannot be nullified. But on the other hand, no matter how much a wicked man may prosper in this life, no matter how easy a life he may experience and no matter how much it may appear that everything is in his favor, in the final analysis, "it shall be ill with him" (Isa. 3:11). In a sense, there is never a time with a child of God when is not well with him, and there is never a time with a child of the devil when it is not ill with him. "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31), and conversely, if God be against us, who can be for us? 

    God's people are kept by His power and there is a place reserved for them in heaven (I Peter 1:4-5). They may possibly live a life here on the shores of time that is dominated by pain, affliction, hardship, and even persecution, but they are citizens of a better country, that is, an heavenly, and when the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumph of God, then they will all be raised and fashioned like unto the glorious body of Christ. Then, indeed, it shall be well with them forevermore.