He Knew you would fail . . .

He also knows that you will come back and He has an assignment for you when you do come back.

Luke 22:31-32
31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.  32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." NKJV

Everyone of us has failed the Lord at some point in our history of being FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST. Just like Peter's failure did not catch Jesus by surprise yours does not either, so the key is to know that when you come back you have an ASSIGNMENT (see John 21).

When Jesus showed up in the middle of Peter's backsliding (he went back to fishing) I believe that He killed Peter's CROWING ROOSTER. I can hear you now, "Where is that in the Bible?" It is not there except the rooster crowed after Peter denied Jesus three times just like Jesus said it would happen. 

If it were me every time I heard a ROOSTER CROW it would remind me of my past and that is what the ENEMY DOES best (Revelation 12:10-12). In ancient Israel CROWING ROOSTERS were a very common occurance as they are today. Which means Peter had a constant agonizing reminder of his FAILURE multiple times per day.

When Jesus asked Peter, "DO YOU LOVE ME," and Peter answered, "LORD YOU KNOW I DO." Then Jesus proceeded to give Peter these words, "THEN FEED MY SHEEP." 

It is my deepest CONVICTION that by doing this Jesus KILLED PETER'S CROWING ROOSTER and let Peter know that he had a future with Jesus and His Kingdom. The rest is history!! Who preached on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2)? Who led the Gentiles into the fullness of the Spirit (Acts 10)?

Your past is going crop up but hear JESUS GIVE YOU YOUR ASSIGNMENT AND KILL YOUR CROWING ROOSTER AT THE SAME TIME.

Amen!!!!

Ed