Father, this week, like every week, is full of all kinds of responsibilities! I willingly acknowledge my dependence upon You to get through it. Only with Your strength, wisdom, and love coursing through me can I have the greatest impact on the world around me. Amen.

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A beautiful song came to mind. It’s not a really old one or anything, but I really like it. It’s entitled, “Lovest Thou Me More than These.” Like I said it’s beautiful but more importantly, 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 shortly afterward, with the Holy Spirit’s infilling, 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 the link below to listen to it)

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, 2017, Mon, 6:38 am)
May 17th, 2023, Wed, 6:53 pm