Imperceptible Change
J. M. Ludlow, D. D, D. D. Hosea 7:9 Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knows it not: yes, gray hairs are here and there on him, yet he knows not. A grey hair? It is the signature of time. It is the beginning of the end. It is a ticket which entitles you to a seat amongst the elders. Yet you did not know of that grey hair. This is the point to keep in view. We are all undergoing imperceptible change. What is true of grey hairs is true of many other changes in human life. To what practical uses can we turn the fact of man's imperceptible decay? I. DO NOT SUCH CHANGES REMIND US IN THE GENTLEST POSSIBLE MANNER THAT THIS IS NOT OUR REST? We go gradually down the steep, and as a general rule time is given for reflection. What indeed is all life, from the sunny laughter of childhood to the mellow solemnity of old age, but a succession of reminders that our days are few and our strength a bruised reed! II. OUGHT NOT THE IMPERCEPTIBLE CHANGES OF LIFE TO MODIFY THE ESTIMATE WHICH WE FORM OF OUR OWN POWERS? Other people could see the grey hairs upon Ephraim, but Ephraim himself could not see them. Application of this may be made — 1. To ministers who are unconscious of the decline of their powers. 2. To men who are officially called upon to adapt old agencies to new circumstances. III. OUGHT NOT SUCH CHANGES TO SUGGEST SERIOUS INQUIRY AS TO THE POSSIBLE DECLINE OF SPIRITUAL POWER! It does not follow that physical decline necessitates spiritual decline. But — 1. The spirit must resist the decay to which it is drawn by the flesh. 2. A beneficial moral influence is exerted by such resistance.The grey-haired Christian should be a tower of strength to the Christian cause. No beauty should exceed the beauty of his charitableness and hopefulness. (J. M. Ludlow, D. D, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not. WEB: Strangers have devoured his strength, and he doesn't realize it. Indeed, gray hairs are here and there on him, and he doesn't realize it.