It may be that some roosters think they cause the sunrise because every time they crow, the sky gets lighter. The real reason for the coming of day, of course, is that the Maker of the universe set the planet spinning during creation. But roosters don’t know that. 

The prophet Hosea had a message from God for the Israelites, here called by God’s affectionate nickname “Ephraim” (one of the patriarch Abraham’s great-great-grandsons). God needed to have a conversation on that same subject of cause and effect. God absolutely loves to give his children things, and there were stretches in Israelite history when the nation was secure and prosperous. Maybe too secure and prosperous, because it went to their heads. They must have assumed that their military genius and business acumen got them there. God was heartbroken that his gifts were not recognized: “It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them” (Hosea 11:3). 

When God listens to your comments to other people and when he listens to your communications to him, do you suppose he gets the idea that you think you built everything in your life? Does he hear gratitude from your lips for the family, friends, education, work opportunities, angelic protection, skills, and talents that have prospered you?

Or does he think you sound like a rooster?