Like those who have gone on before them, the generation that is found waiting in the wings to have there moment on the stage of history can become impatient and even disrespectful to those who have almost run their full course. New ideas, new methods and even a new anointing may produce fruit which can be misinterpreted as "it’s time to sweep away all that is to make room for all that is coming". However, in God’s economy this is usually not the case. I learned a lesson many years ago that had the wisdom of God on it for instructing those who are living in just such a time of transition.

When I was a boy I went rabbit hunting with my father in the winter and we often borrowed the rabbit dogs of friends. In time I was old enough to go hunting by my self and I borrowed those same dogs, even though they were clearly no longer in their prime. As time went on all but one of those dogs died from old age and a new group of beagles that were full of energy, but lacking training and experience, took their place.

One winter day, as I loaded up the new dogs the owner came out to chat with me and wish me luck. During our brief conversation he noticed that I had not included the last old dog and asked me why. With youthful enthusiasm I explained how the new one’s were better because they were stronger and faster. They could run all day and not get tired while the old dog would only slow the others down. With a twinkle in his eye he smiled at me, as if he knew something I didn’t, and persuaded me to include the old dog in the hunt. With some reluctance I did so but I was certain I had just made a big mistake.

When I arrived at my hunting location I set the dogs free and just as I had suspected the two new dogs ran off in a flash, sniffing the ground, barking and rushing along the rabbit trails that filled the area. However, the old dog just watched the others go and then put his nose to the ground. To my dismay he limped his way in front of me, into the woods and together we found a prime spot where the rabbits were sure to run. I watched as the old dog slowly made his way into the brush where a rabbit trail passed through and then settled down for what looked like a nice nap.

Ignoring him as a lost cause I began to concentrate on the sound of the other dogs. They were barking their way back and forth across swamps and thickets, through thick alders and picker bushes. I could hear them working as a team, jumping and hopefully pushing rabbits in my direction.  As they finally began to come my way, my eye began to look for the old dog. I did not want to injure him by mistake in case he had bedded down in a place where he might get shot.

Eventually I spotted him and to my great frustration, sure enough, he had done the very thing I feared the most. He was right in front of me, just off to the side of a trail where the rabbits were likely to run. Frantically I tried to get his attention and call him out of the way, but to no avail. It looked like he was sound asleep and unresponsive to anything I did. With a shake of my head I resolved myself to two facts: there would be no rabbits today and I would never take that old dog with me again.

 As I sat there waiting for things to unfold I considered my options. I could shoot the rabbit as it cleared the woods knowing I would hit the dog as well and injure or perhaps kill him. Secondly I could try to take a long shot once the rabbit saw the dog and ran off in another direction. In any case I was not a happy camper and I sat there mumbling obscenities under my breath at the dog and the owner who had forced me into taking him on this ill-fated hunt. Everything in me wanted to go down there, grab the dog by the collar and throw him back in the car.

Whatever I was thinking went out of my head the moment I saw the rabbit coming towards me. My anger mounted as I watched what I thought was about to happen. No doubt the rabbit would see the dog laying on the side of the trail and then dash off happily in the opposite direction. To my surprise about 5 feet from the old dog the rabbit stopped and  looked back, somewhat distracted by the dogs that were far behind it. It then began to move with ease down the trail, comfortable with the lead it had on the other dogs. At that same moment I noticed something change in the old dog. With mocking curiosity I watched as he placed his head flat on the ground and stiffen every muscle in his body. He then cocked his head up the trial and lunged out just as the rabbit passed by. He and the rabbit came tumbling together through a hole in the brush and to my amazement he had grab the rabbit, in mid air, by the neck.

I sat there with my mouth open as I watched the death struggle unfold before my eyes. The dog had clamped down hard on the rabbits head and neck and was withstanding dozens of kicks from it’s powerful hind feet. After more than a minute the rabbit finally went limp in the dog’s mouth.  Only then did he turn to carry it out of the thicket and up across the field to me. As perfect as could be he dropped it at my feet, wagged his tail and gave a soft bark. As I patted him on the head and looked at what lay before me the other dogs came scrambling out of the woods. They were hot, full of pickers and ready to lunge at what they had been chasing.

I learned several lessons that day but the biggest one was to never write off an old dog. What he may lack in external flash or energy will be more than compensated for by the wisdom gained through faithful service. And so it is for those who have almost fully run their course and those who have just begun to run. They need each other! The wisdom of one, when joined to the energy of the other, will accomplish more than either could ever accomplish on their own. He may very well be the best ally, the most productive worker and most loyal friend you will ever have on the battle field of faith. In this day of treachery and self-promotion we need to know who is really with us. I’ve learned through hard experience that one who has run well with good character, even if  advanced in years, is the one I want with me. Let the young dogs run in the thicket and learn their lessons, but keep the old dog close to your side. He is the one who will surely drop the prize at you feet while others are in hot pursuit of that which is not theirs to have.  Never write off an old dog!!!

In His Wonderful Love

Prophet Bill Emmons

Prophetic Destiny Ministry

 www.pdministry.org