Father, there is a full week ahead and I willingly acknowledge my dependence upon You on getting me through it. Only with Your strength, wisdom, and love coursing through me can I have the greatest impact on the world around me. Amen.

Lord, in the middle of the night a song came to mind and then again when I awoke this morning. It is entitled, “Lovest Thou Me More than These.” It is a beautiful song but more important is the fact that it is based on words You spoke to Peter after Your resurrection.

Of course, prior to Your crucifixion, Peter denied You three times. You knew it would happen but even though You have forewarned him and he proclaimed his dedication, he still fell and fell hard. He did exactly what he said he would never do.

After Your resurrection, even with all his interaction with You, he was still a broken man. John 21:15-17 tells of Your conversation with him in which he reaffirmed his love for You. He accepts Your forgiveness and with the Holy Spirit’s infilling shortly afterward he becomes a foundational stone – a rock (Peter means rock) – upon which Your Church is built.

The song title and proceeding verses address Your question to Peter, and inevitably to us, “do you love me more than these?”

As I read the lyrics to the song, Lord, may my testimony be “I love Thee more than this old world could offer, all sinful follies I deny for Thee, my life, my all, I pledge Thee. I love thee Lord, more than these.”

Lovest Thou Me (More Than These?) (<<click here to listen to it)

Lovest thou me, lovest thou me, more than these?
Modern times have brought us many blessings
People live in wealth and luxury
But the Master asks this question
Lovest thou me, lovest thou me, more than these?

I love Thee more than this old world could offer
All sinful follies I deny for Thee
My love, my life, my all, I pledge Thee
I love thee, Lord, I love thee Lord, more than these
More than these

CHORUS

Lovest thou me, more than these my child?
What will, will your answer be?
Oh, precious Lord, I love Thee more than all of these
More than fame
More than wealth
More than the world
More than fame
More than wealth
More than the world

Words and Music by William J. Gaither

May 1st, Mon, 6:38 am