Oh To Be Wise Meditations

Roosters rarely crow at night because they are diurnal animals that sleep at night. If the rooster does crow at night, any number of factors could be to blame. It could be sick or sense a predator, maybe just be feeling a bit antsy. This makes me think about the story of Peter and his denials of Jesus before the roosters crowed twice. Here is the Scripture: Then, when the first servant girl questioned Peter about his relationship to Jesus, “he denied it, saying, ‘I neither know nor understand what you mean.’ And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed” (Mark 14:68). Later, after Peter’s third denial, “immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept". I find it very interesting that the rooster crowed in the night. Could it be it felt a dark presence and predator creeping over Peter. With each denial the guilt and sorrow humbled Peter and drove Judas to despair and death. Amazing how animals reflect the heart of God in this world. The roosters crow reminded Peter of Jesus's humbling and frightening words. By the second crow, daybreak was soon coming and the night of betrayal was almost gone. Praise God, the rooster proclaims the start of a new day. In Christ, all things become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). A new day of forgiveness and grace has dawned, and believers, saved by grace, proclaim the good news to a world in need of light. Thank you Jesus that you restored Peter and that you do not want us to fall away like Judas. Jesus, you are never impressed with our fleshly bravado such as Peter expressed in Matthew 26:35. You know our hearts better than we do. Even though you know the ways we will fail you, you do not stop loving or using us to further your message. Those rooster crows must have haunted Peter for many years and may have helped him stay humble, watchful, and committed to his calling. Our past failures can be battle scars in our lives as well, propelling us toward greater devotion and stricter loyalty to Jesus when we recall how much we have been forgiven. Praying the joy of the morning over you! Listen to the roosters sing out his mercy and grace, renews every morning!