It Is Time To Hunt The Foxes

Daily Devotional – Thursday, June 17, 2021

Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes.

Song of Songs 2:15 (NKJV)

I recently uprooted my flowering peas following an aphid infestation. It was a painful process because I was expecting a good harvest from my kitchen garden. What I was not aware of was the ongoing silent invasion.

I failed to notice the tiny insects. Therefore, I did not take timely remedial action. Today, I would be enjoying my bountiful harvest of healthy peas.

In the Song of Songs, the challenges that face romantic relationships are compared to little foxes. “Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes.” (Song of Songs 2:15).

Little foxes could attack and destroy blooming grape plants. The vineyard’s owner needed to be vigilant. It was important to trap and exterminate the foxes.

These little foxes and the aphids that destroyed my peas are highly symbolic. They represent little acts of omission or commission that result in failed relationships.

Unnecessary criticism of others, carelessly spoken words, refusing to forgive others, and putting others down in order to appear better than them, kills our relationships with those around us.

Similarly, an inconsistent prayer life, neglect of Bible study, and gradually absenting oneself from congregational worship, destroys our relationship with God. These are seemingly little issues, albeit with the potential for long-lasting damage.

Which little foxes do you need to catch and kill in order for your relationships with God and others to grow and thrive?

Father, help me identify, and, by your grace, destroy ‘little’ habits of thinking, action and speech, which can destroy my relationship with you and with my fellow human beings