A little thorn may cause much suffering. A little cloud may hide the sun. Little foxes spoil the vines; and little sins do mischief to the tender heart. These little sins burrow in the soul, and make it so full of that which is hateful to Christ, that he'll hold no comfortable fellowship and communion with us.
A great sin can't destroy a Christian, but a little sin can make him miserable. Jesus won't walk with his people unless they drive out every known sin. He says, "If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love, even as I've kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love." Some Christians very seldom enjoy their Saviour's presence. How is this?
Surely it must be an affliction for a tender child to be separated from his father. Are you a child of God, and yet satisfied to go on without seeing your Father's face? What! you the spouse of Christ, and yet content without his company!
Surely, you've fallen into a sad state, for the chaste spouse of Christ mourns like a dove without her mate, when he has left her. Ask, then, the question, what has driven Christ from you? He hides his face behind the wall of your sins. That wall may be built up of little pebbles, as easily as of great stones.
The sea is made of drops; the rocks are made of grains. And the sea which divides you from Christ may be filled with the drops of your little sins; and the rock which has well nigh wrecked your barque, may have been made by the daily working of the coral insects of your little sins. If you'd live with Christ, and walk with Christ, and see Christ, and have fellowship with Christ, take heed of "the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes." Jesus invites you to go with him and take them. He'll surely, like Samson, take the foxes at once and easily. Go with him to the hunting.
Closing Prayer
God, as we start this day, fill us with Your love so we can share it freely. For Your glory, Amen.