Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that spoil and ruin the vineyards [of love], While our vineyards are in blossom.
Song of Solomon 2:15 AMP
Vineyards take years to mature. Did you know that? I did not until the question wandered through my mind as I was meditating on what the Lord wishes to impart through this little fox blog series.
Throughout the Bible, the Israelites were regularly without a home of their own. They were either slaves for a burdensome Pharaoh, exiled to evil nations, or wandering in deserts.
There are long stretches of their history where they are nowhere that is their own for long enough to put down a vineyard and watch it grow into maturity.
So if they did have a vineyard… And it had matured? You better believe that it was like precious gold!
Just imagine wishing for a home your entire life, and in your later years, finally being blessed with land to plant a vineyard on with enough time left in your life for that vine to mature. You may have something to pass down to the next generation, after all!
So you put down roots and allow the time to pass, and as this vineyard is growing and maturing, you are being careful to tend to it as it develops.
Once in full-blown maturity, perhaps some sense of relief comes to you, and you begin to forget to do the former things you did to take care of the vine when it was newly planted. The newness has aged into a mature enjoyment of what your earlier labor has provided for you, and you just begin to eat the fruit of your labor, perhaps turning your attention to other duties or tasks. It may become easy to assume this vine is safe and secure because nothing has happened in all these years.
One night, a cute little adorable fox catches the corner of your eye. Oh. They should be fine. What harm could such a small animal do to such a beautiful vine!
And in the morning, you arrive to eat the fruit like you always have, but there is your vine shredded from the roots!
Possibly a decade worth of labor completely destroyed!
See, foxes chew through the vine itself right at the ground level to cause the fruit to fall to the ground so they can eat it. They’re certainly not long-term thinkers! They’re scavengers.
They found an unattended vine, and they ate well. They can completely kill what took years to develop and mature!
Sometimes, it’s not the enemy that robbed you. For a robber breaks in to steal items that may possibly be recovered.
Sometimes, it’s you who left the vine unattended!
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4:2 NIV
It’s hard to watch over things you’re not inherently grateful for. Things that we find irritating or annoying may not slip our mind, but we likely aren’t giving them the care they need either!
Things we are ambivalent towards may end up just slipping our minds entirely!
This is why Little Fox No. 1: A Lack of Gratitude is an important precursor to Little Fox No. 2: A Lack of Watchfulness. There will be five of these little foxes, so stay tuned! The Holy Ghost has some amazing insight to share with you!
So, how can we practically ensure that we remain alert and watchful? For starters, check the gratitude meter. A heart of thankfulness immediately creates ground for watchfulness!
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:7-8 NIV
It’s important we take the Scriptures to heart. Little foxes will spoil the vine. But your enemy wants to do more than that. He desires to destroy and devour your very soul.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8 NIV
Let’s be watchful and alert. Not fearful as though we don’t know that the Lord’s victory is already won. But as those who long and desire to be good stewards over the things He has entrusted us with while we remain on this earth.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33 NIV
What are “all these things” that Christ is talking about being given to us here?
Food and clothes. But first, HIS Kingdom and HIS Righteousness is what we should be watching out for!
The disciples had been stripped bare. Down to a life of following Christ wherever He goes. And they were worried about food and clothes. For valid reasons. But Christ’s instructions were to focus our eyes on Heavenly priorities. HIS Kingdom. HIS Righteousness.
Are we being watchful for those?