‘Catch…the little foxes that spoil the vines…’ SONG OF SOLOMON 2:15 NKJV
Michelangelo once sculpted a figure out of marble while a friend watched. Later his friend went away on business and when he returned he said, ‘I see you haven’t worked on your sculpture.’ The great artist replied, ‘I’ve been working constantly on it since you left.’ His friend asked, ‘How’s that possible?’ Michelangelo replied, ‘I’ve softened a line here, straightened the lip there, defined the muscles more clearly, polished this and sharpened that.’ His friend said, ‘But those are trifles!’ Michelangelo replied, ‘Trifles they may be, but trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle!’ Solomon writes, ‘Catch…the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes.’ One Bible teacher put it this way: ‘Small things that seem unimportant can spoil ‘tender grapes’, like a relationship, a career, or a life dedicated to Christ. How many marriages fail because spouses paid no attention to the little things? How many athletes lost competitions because of tiny missteps? Many of us can see the big picture of our lives and our relationship with God, but we neglect the details necessary for bringing it all into focus. We must attend to ‘trifles’ if we hope to succeed. As we act faithfully in the little things God will bless us with greater opportunities. We’ll develop the faithfulness and obedience to conquer the great issues in life.’ Only when you’re faithful in small things will God entrust you with greater things (Matthew 25:21). So, what ‘little foxes’ do you need to catch today? Little resentments, little habits, little areas of dishonesty? Nip them in the bud. Deal with them, and watch how it changes your life.
Bible In A Year: Mal 1-4, Matt 1:1-6a
