Young & Old; Big & Small; Ever Faithful God

Mark 10:16 gives us a firsthand look at Jesus' heart towards children: "And He took the children [one by one] in His arms and blessed them [with kind, encouraging words], placing His hands on them." (AMP) Oh to have heard some of those personal and prophetic blessings delivered by our Lord! Proverbs 20:29 says: "The glory of young men is their [physical] strength, and the honor of aged men is their gray head [representing wisdom and experience]." (AMP) Ideally every church should have a healthy balance of both young and old. When Elijah was preparing to pass on his mantle (cloak of ministry) to Elisha, he seemed to know the time had come. God had prepared his departure even as He was preparing his successor. The elder prophet did not give up his mantle reluctantly nor did the younger prophet seek to snatch it away prematurely. Nevertheless, the mantle was passed, our Lord was glorified, and God's people were the benefactors. And then there is the mantle Jesus has passed on to us. We dare not leave it lying on the ground. Therefore we must pick it up, put it on, and go forth faithfully and expectantly in His holy name...