Do We Want More? (part 1)

A young, southern boy was sitting down to the breakfast table with his older brothers and sisters, ready to feast on momma’s pancakes.  As the youngest in this family finally gets his plate of hotcakes, his momma asked if he’s ready for some molasses.  With all the southern slang the little boy had grown up with, he innocently replies; “How can I have mo’ lasses when I hasn’t had any yet?”

A comical story about a little boy’s understanding of ‘more,’ but an idea I’d like for us to follow for while.  As we consider wanting/needing ‘more’ of something perhaps we should ask the obvious, more of what?  On a tangible level, we might want more money, more help, or more vacation time.  But in reality we might say we want more strength, more understanding, or more time.  But either way we tend to want ‘more.’

The hymn we will be examining is focused on our lives and the holiness we aspire to.  Written and composed by Philip Bliss in 1873, this song repeats the word ‘more’ twenty-four (24) times.  With just three short verses what could we possible be praying for more of?  Look deeper at how much ‘more’ we should be aspiring for.

In verse one alone we seek (sing); more holiness, more striving, more patience and more sorrow.  More faith, more sense, more joy and more purpose.  One by one let’s consider what are we asking God to give us ‘more’ of:
1) More holiness give me…  Holiness, by definition, is the state of being set apart.  We are asking to be set apart for God’s service.  Read Titus 2:11-14, through Christ we are redeemed to God, “…a people for His own possession.”  We are called to be holy.  Deuteronomy 7:6, “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God…”

2) More striving within… why would we pray for striving?  It indicates we are looking for an inter-struggle.  A fight against our human nature of worldliness.  Paul explained it when he wrote, “…I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate…” Romans 7:14-15.  Consider how many times you’ve said, ‘I wish I hadn’t done that.’  In short, we need ‘more striving within.’

3) More patience in suffering.  Again, read the text in James 1:1-2, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”  Not something we want or look forward to, but something we know we need, patience.

4) More sorrow for sin. This alone should make us stop and think about our life.  Do we feel regret, guilt or sorrow when we sin?  Not when we’re CAUGHT in sin, but for our sinful acts.  We sing (and pray) that we’d be more sorrowful for our sin.  Philip Bliss would agree, more conscience of our sin.

5) More faith in my Savior.  What does it take for us to strengthen our faith?  Perhaps we find the same sentiments from the father of a young boy in Mark 9.  You’ll remember the discussion Jesus had with the man until the boy’s father in desperation cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief.”  In other words, I need more faith in my Savior.

6) More sense of His care.  How much does God care about you?  Do you understand (can you sense) how much you matter to God?  “For God so loved the world…”  We do have some realization of His care.  But do you care enough to concern yourself with Him?  If we had the sense to realize His gift (Christ on the cross) we’d do all we can to give Him our all.

7) More joy in His service.  Many of us equate serving to working.  Who finds joy in their work?  Paul states it best in Colossians 3:24, “…do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men…”  When our heart is right with God, then we’ll service (work) with joy.

8) More purpose in prayer.  Why do you pray?  Do you have an objective when you bow in prayer or is it just a routine, something you’re supposed to do?  What is your purpose?  We pray for the sick, for those who are traveling, for those who are hurting…we have a purpose, don’t we?  I Corinthians 14:14, 15 (one of my favorite passages), “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.  What is the outcome then?  I shall pray with the spirit and I shall pray with the mind also…”  In other words, be purposeful in prayer.

We’ll continue the study of this song in later weeks, but until that time take a look at the other two verses; there are still sixteen more ‘mores’.