What To Do When Your Rooster Crows

Sharon JaynesA Sudden Glory, Dealing with Your Past, Expectant Living, Forgiveness, God's love, Knowing God, Living Free, Living Fully, Prayer/Spiritual Warfare, Renewing your mind with the Truth 125 Comments

I sat on my back porch, wrapped in my fuzzy worn robe—the one that’s twenty years old that I just can’t seem to get rid of.

The birch trees waved “good morning,” and the newly planted gerbera daisies stretched their faces to the sun…just a bit higher than the day before.

Then I heard him. The rooster.

ER-er-ER-er-ERRRR.  I’m not sure where he lives, but it’s within earshot.

ER-er-ER-er-ERRRR.  I thought of Peter. I thought of me. I thought of you.

ER-er-ER-er-ERRRR.

You know the story. At the dinner table, on the night before Jesus went to the cross, he said to Peter:

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death with you.”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” (Luke 22:31)

A few hours later, Peter did just that. Denied that he even knew Jesus.

Three times.

And then the rooster crowed.

ER-er-ER-er ERRRR.

“And he went outside and wept bitterly.”

He cried and cried and cried.

(I’ve messed up big time and cried and cried and cried before. Have you?)

The next morning, the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered his failure.

And the next morning, the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered his failure.

And the next, and the next, and the next.

With every squawk of the bird. A fresh reminder. First thing in the morning.

Have you ever been there? I have.

I have failed. And I have remembered…the rooster crowed.

And even though I had asked for forgiveness, and I knew that God HAD forgiven me, the rooster crowed in my heart, and I remembered my failure anew.

What did Jesus have to say about Peter’s failure? Three strikes, you’re out? Not hardly.

After his resurrection, Jesus pulled Peter aside…

“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

Jesus removed the shroud of shame hanging from Peter’s guilt weary shoulders, and called him to get back to the ministry to which he was called.

God’s forgiveness is always complete, total, and comprehensive. “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]”  (1 John 1:9 AMP).

However, the accuser continues to crow—reminding us our past sins and failures. He tries to drown out the song of grace with the caw of shame.

He crows. We remember. Perhaps even weep with Peter behind the wall.

ER-er-ER-er-ERRRR.

You know what I’ve decided? Rooster makes a fine meal.

Let’s wring the rooster’s neck and cook him up once and for all.

Don’t let the enemy accuse you of what God has already forgiven you of? Don’t let him fool you into thinking that the cross wasn’t enough.

“Daughter, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord, you know that I do.”

I wonder what went through Peter’s mind the next time he heard the rooster crow. I think he smiled and thought of God’s amazing grace. That’s what I’m going to do tomorrow when I hear that rooster crow.

What about you? The next time the devil reminds you of all the times you’ve failed, will you stand with me and answer the caw of shame with the song of grace?

If so, leave a comment that says, “Thank God, I’m forgiven and free!”

 

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Comments 125

    3. Sharon I just attended the Ladies conference at WOL. You and Gwen were amazing! I felt so renewed by what you taught about God’s grace for us and our gratitude to him for his unshakeable love for us.Thank you for sharing your faith.

      Reply

    6. The rooster is kind of like an alarm clock:
      Every time I hear that rooster I’m going to think: wake up sleeper rise from the lies, death and discouragement Stan would like to burden me with….throw off those coves, jump out of the bed of fear, disappointment,
      And remember that my Savior knows, loves, forgives and empowers me
      Just for the job at hand…living this day in his grace and truth!…thank God I’m free and forgiven…that’s something to crow about…right back at you Satan you low down deceiver , joy grabber and thief!

      Reply

  6. Oh my word. Exactly what I needed to hear today. That little voice in my head has been telling me that I’m not good enough, not clean enough – that there’s something in my past that needs dealing with, holding me back… it’s the voice of the rooster. The Cross WAS enough.
    Thank you for challenging the lies. Jesus is enough.

    Reply

  11. God, my forgiving & faithful Father knew I needed this message today! Thanking and praising Him for His amazing grace that has set me free!

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  12. Thank God i am forgiven and free. Thank you Sharon for the analogy given this morning when the rooster errrerrerrr. the roosters crowing is annoying, the devil is annoying. I am free from condemnation, guilt and shame. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed. God bless you and your day. In HIm. gina

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  14. I really needed these words of wisdom this morning. I forget sometimes who is really reminding me of past mistakes, sins. Our enemy is so creative and sneaky at working on us. God has forgiven me and would never remind me. Thank God, I’m forgiven and free!”
    Thank you Sharon for sharing your wisdom.

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  21. Thank God I’m forgiven and free, and that He writes the book for us in Christ, Author and Finisher of our Faith.

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  30. I have broken sooo many commandments and have struggled so long with forgiving myself. I know God has forgiven me but have not been able to get that rooster out of my mind. I have sinned, thank you Lor for sending your son to die on the cross so that I may live….wdespite the sinning I have done. Please keep me in those wonderful hands and guide and protect me. I will not let that rooster get me down just to remind me of past transgressions. I will go forward each day and walk in the Light of the Lord.

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  40. This was very helpful to me. I constantly hear that rooster telling me I am a failure, always will be. Thank God I am forgiven and free!

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  44. Wow. What a wonderful, vivid, practical and timely sharing! thank you so much. It is important to remember daily that I am forgiven and I’m free! and that God is so willing to restore us and give us more to do for Him!

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  55. Thank God, I am forgiven & free!!! I don’t know if it’s the devil or I who keeps reminding me of mutt sins, but this is a wonderful reminder of what to do about it!

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  61. Thank God I Am Forgiven And Free!!!!

    I needed this today so much. Lord you are Awesome! Thank you Jesus for this.

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  70. Thank You God! I’m forgiven and free.
    Wow! I’ve had a rooster crowing for days. Thank you Sharon. Blessings to you and yours!

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  76. Thank God I’m Forgiven and Free! I stand in Awe sometimes of His Forgiveness after All I have done wrong! Thank You for this reminder Sharon! God Bless You!

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  78. Thank God I’m forgiven and free !!! Thanks Sharon for your devotionals that help to increase my faith ! Blessings

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  81. Thank God, I’m forgiven and free!

    God bless you Sharon.. thanks a lot for sharing this wonderful message of God’s forgiveness.. this message will always remain in my heart cause the rooster keeps crowing..

    This is another life changing messages from you that will remain as a reminder on my heart always..

    Thank you so much..

    Reply

  84. Thank God, I’m forgiven and free! Thank you Sharon for your words of encouragement. You are a light! May God continue to bless and inspire you with his word.

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  85. Thank God, I’m forgiven and free! Thank you Sharon for your words of encouragement. You are a light! May God continue to bless and inspire you with his word.

    Reply

  87. Thank God I’m forgiven and free!!! Can’t help but shed a few tears over this one as we well know that Satan won’t leave us alone, but we can cry this out every morning when our feet hit the floor and be reminded of how much God loves us, so much that He sent His one and only Son to die a cruel death on a cross for us! Thank you Jesus! Love your stuff, just what is needed, but then, God always knows just what we need, doesn’t He? Powerful stuff.

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  92. Thank you gracious Lord, that I am forgiven and free and I will walk in your forgiveness and deliverance!!!!

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  94. Thank you Lord that I’m forgiven and free! You loved me so much and thought I was worth it! Jesus loved his wife (world) So much that he said Father I will die for my wife for her sins and for her health. Divine Benefits! For by God’s Grace, YES I’M FORGIVEN and FREE. AMEN

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  95. Thank u Lord that I am forgiven & free…this message came at the perfect time, I had a heaviness within me. Thank u Jesus for your grace!

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  97. Thank The Good Lord and I am Forgiven and Free… Boy I needed that that rooster crows alot reminding me of past sins already forgiven and gets me down .. Thank You Jesus for dying on the cross for your children .. for this child I am ever so grateful.

    Reply

  109. Thank God, am forgiven and free. That was so direct to me, i gave my life to christ sometimes back but the devil keep reminding me of my past mistakes and i feel like i have not been forgiven completely. I needed to get that assurance that what Jesus went through on Calvary was enough for me. If invited to Kenya, can you come? Jackline from Kenya.

    Reply

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