The human body contains about 25 trillion red blood cells. Each cell lives only about 125 days, which means that over 2 million die every second! What happens to all these dead cells? Even though they are dead, there is still some good in them. The liver dismantles them (something like a mechanic removing usable parts from a smashed car before throwing the rest away) and uses the good parts of the cells to make new ones. (And we thought recycling was a new idea!) The unusable parts are sent into the waste system. Isn’t that amazing!
When blood from the heart circulates through the body, it loses some of its contents en route. The liver replenishes it by providing nutrients, vitamins and essential minerals before it goes back to the heart to be pumped through the body again. If excitement or fright causes a sudden surge of blood, the liver expands itself temporarily to take up this surge, so the extra blood does not reach the heart all at one time. Surely “the works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein” (Psalm 111:22The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. (Psalm 111:2)).
The liver is a safety valve for the heart in another way too. Some things that we eat could cause serious problems to the body if there were not some provision made to overcome them. God has also given this assignment to the liver. It has thousands of enzymes which neutralize a certain amount of these materials before the liver is damaged and cannot function in its protective way. That is one reason why we should always be careful what we eat, drink or breathe.
The liver also turns starch (glycogen) into glucose, providing food for the muscles. When the muscles are active, they produce lactic acid, and the liver also helps remove this acid from the bloodstream. Antibodies, also manufactured partly by the liver, are present in the bloodstream to provide protection against viruses and bacteria that cause infectious diseases.
As we think in amazement of all the marvels of our bodies, it should make us realize how completely God has provided for us. The psalmist exclaimed: “In Thy book all my members were written, which in [many days] were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God!” (Psalm 139:16-1716Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 17How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! (Psalm 139:16‑17)).
These wonderful thoughts were expressed so well when God said, “I know the thoughts that I think toward you ... thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:1111For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11)).
Do you know Him as your Saviour, and have you thanked Him for all that He has done and is doing for you each day?
ML-08/02/2015