Catch the foxes

 Tuesday, August 24

Catch the foxes    

Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming!’  Solomon 2:15

Any gardener would agree, as much as they enjoy seeing the ‘fruit’ of their labor, there are also others that are unwanted. These are weeds that seed themselves and take root, and if not dealt with quickly, they can soon take over and start to smother the good growth of our vegetables and flowers. Some seedlings if they are not plucked out quickly while small, they put down deep roots and are then difficult to dig out and remove. This is just a spiritual reminder that small seeds (un-forgiveness, bitterness, envy, etc.) can turn into big issues if not dealt with properly.

As I was watching Judge Judy one night I saw how something as innocent as a turtle, turned neighbors into enemies. The animal had dug a hole under the house which rocked the foundation making it no longer stable.

Both these examples, seeds and turtle, remind me of the ‘little’ sins and fleshly desires that often start as seemingly minor temptations. We can be drawn towards things that seem attractive and relatively harmless, but if left unchecked they can become deeply rooted and damage the godly fruit in our lives. Today’s verse in the Song of Solomon tells us that it’s ‘the little foxes that spoil the vines’.

Is there a ‘little fox’ (or a small rabbit!) that you have allowed into your life, that seemed attractive at the time and that you have been reluctant to dispose of? It may have started in a small way, but perhaps you are now finding that it is controlling you and eating away at the good fruit in your life. If so, why not resolve today that you will no longer allow it to have its way. Confess to God, repent, and ask God to help you to get rid of it.

Prayer for today: Loving Father please forgive me for not resisting temptation and for allowing sin to reign in my life. Search me and show me things that I am holding onto which I need to get rid of. Help me to get rid of anything that is keeping your good fruit away. Thank You for Your unfailing love for me, through Jesus Christ. Amen.