Forgotten Foxes

“I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Thy servant; for I do not forget Thy commandments” (Psalm 119:176).  “Hear Me now therefore… lest thou give thine honor unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:  and thou mourn at the last” (Proverbs 5:7-11).  “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.  My Beloved is mine, and I am His” (Song of Solomon 2:15,16).  “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.  Let all your things be done with charity.… Maranatha [the Lord comes]” (1 Corinthians 16:13-22).

We know that, like sheep, we had all gone astray,

And sadly we find that we often still do.

We need to be vigilant day after day

Lest foxes distract us that we would pursue. 

The foxes may seem to be little indeed: 

But little distractions become a pursuit,

And little things grow like an unwelcome weed,

Forgotten until it destroys precious fruit. 

Now listen to God, who so carefully warns

Of dangers ahead that are costly and cruel: 

Behold how seduction soon rises and scorns

The one who laments he has lived as a fool!

O come, let us cultivate love for our Savior,

Rejoicing to say, “my Beloved is mine!”

Now come, let us root out unfruitful behavior

That spoils our fruit for the Lord on the vine.

Be watchful!  Stand fast now like vigilant men!

Let all things be done in the strength of God’s love!

Remember our Savior is coming again,

And we shall be with Him in glory above!

O Lord, we give thanks for Your gracious instruction

To counsel us daily about little things. 

A little distraction becomes a seduction,

And You have forewarned of the evil this brings!

Lord, guard us in all that we see, hear, and touch,

And rid us of foxes that they may not spoil

The fruit in our life, which we know should be much,

Since we are the work of Your own loving toil.