Xanthe Hancox

Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom. Song of Solomon 2:15

The fascinating love story in Solomon’s song contains many intriguing pictures. One is of a beautiful vineyard in early spring. The vines, however, are threatened by little foxes that come and eat the tender grapes before they are ripe.

In this passage of Scripture, we see the principle of little things. If we ignore the little things they will someday grow up and become big things, and then they will present us a great problem.

“Little sins”, if gone unchecked, can do great harm to us. We read about the danger of a little folly in Ecclesiastes 10:1 “As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honour.” A person with a reputation for wisdom and honour can destroy that reputation with one foolish deed, or one ungodly attitude.

In Luke we are reminded that “whoever has been forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47). Sometimes we can become a bit complacent, a bit lazy, and water down our love for Jesus, forgetting that we’re called to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37). What started out as a burning, all-consuming love gradually dwindles until one day it’s barely there at all.

The same thing can happen with gratitude. We know we must “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). How often do we take things for granted? Skip our quiet times? Complain when we should rejoice? These might seem like small things, but they’ll erode our faith from the inside.

Prayer: Thank you Father for the example of the little foxes. Forgive me for the times I’ve allowed sin to creep into my life. Help me to chase all sin from my daily life, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. Amen