I ran toward the door with the rooster hot on my heels. I out ran it and slammed the door shut behind me. What an awful squawk! The rooster had stuck its head out the door the moment I slammed it shut. The poor old rooster wouldn’t crow again. Grandma scolded me good for killing her rooster. The next day we had fried chicken for dinner, but I couldn’t bring myself to eat any of it.

What an awful feeling Peter had that first “Good Friday”. He heard the rooster crow and began to weep. Never would he have imagined that he would ever deny his Lord. But he did. Three times before the rooster crowed he denied with an oath that he never knew Jesus. How could he do that?

Jesus had foretold it. “Verily I say unto thee that this night, before the cock crows, thou shalt deny me thrice.” Peter boasted, “Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.” (See Matthew 26:20, 21, 31-35.)

What about you? Have you ever denied or disappointed the Lord Jesus? What should we do when the rooster crows? When our conscience smites us or the Holy Spirit convicts us?

First – When the rooster crows, remember PRIDE goes before a fall. Peter was cock-sure of his fidelity to Jesus. The Bible says, “Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). (See also Proverbs 29:23 and 8:13.) Boasting is bogus bravado. Humility relies on God’s grace. (See James 4:6-10.)

The Apostle Paul was given glorious visions of heaven. But Paul revealed that to keep him from becoming conceited, God gave him a thorn in the flesh “to keep him humble.” He prayed that God would remove it. God’s answer was, “My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (II Corinthians 12:3-10). We must learn to rely on God’s grace and power.

Second – When the rooster crows remember Jesus’ PROPHECIED WORD to Peter – Jesus prophesied that Peter would deny him. If we would take Jesus’ word to heart, believe it, and act on it, we would save ourselves a lot of heartache and failure. David said, “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). Memorizing scripture is a “lost art” amongst most Christians today. Memorizing, meditating, and observing the Word of God will enable you to overcome temptation and succeed. (See Joshua 1:5-8.)

Third – PRAYER can keep the rooster from crowing. In the garden Jesus agonized in prayer as he faced his greatest trial. The battle was actually won on his knees in prayer as he submitted to the Father’s will. (See Matthew 26:36-39.)

Jesus gave us the best advice on prayer. When he returned to his companions he found them sleeping instead of praying, He admonished them, “Could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:40-41). A life of daily prayer will strengthen and enable you to live victoriously.

Fourth – When the rooster crows remember PERMANENCE of spirit will help win the day. Peter was once like a rooster weathervane – he changed directions with the wind. But Jesus had called him a rock. (See Matthew 16:18.) Peter had to come to the place where he believed and lived like who Jesus said he was. We develop permanence when we come to Christ the Solid Rock. Doubters are unstable. (See James 1:6-8.) Those who know and believe their position in Christ will develop permanence in Christ. (See II Corinthians 5:17 and Ephesians 2:5-6.)

Fifth – When the rooster crows remember PARDON for sin is offered. Judas betrayed his Lord but did not repent. Peter denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed but repented and was pardoned and restored. Jesus had told Peter that after he had failed, he would be “converted” and be used to strengthen and encourage others. (See Luke 22:31-32.) We must first be “converted”. To some that is “old-fashioned”. But it is still in fashion with God. (See Matthew 13:15 and Acts 3:19.) “Ye must be born again” (John 3:3).

When the rooster crows remember only the grace of God can save us and keep us. Jesus gives us the promise of God-with-us, the power of God-in-us, and the pardon of God-for-us. You can receive pardon and forgiveness.

A - Admit you have sinned. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

B - Believe in Jesus. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

C - Confess and leave your sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)