The Body

Genesis 1:26 tells us God created us in His own image and likeness. Psalm 139:14 says we are fearfully and wonderfully made. It's important to see how God put many complex systems together that work in perfect harmony. Everybody needs to take a few minutes from time to time to think about this miraculous body and to show appreciation of God's handiwork. We will look at ten or eleven systems. The first is the skeleton. One of its purposes is to give us shape so that we're not like jelly fish. It also makes it possible for us to move. In addition, it provides vital protection to our organs, i.e., ribs and skull. There are over 200 bones, like the framework of a house, in all shapes and sizes, but every one is precision fit. I used to be in building and know how difficult it is to get a precise fit. The skeleton is also the factory where bone marrow makes blood cells. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Have you ever said, "Thank you God for bones?" The second system is the muscles, which are like cables on a crane. The two purposes are to actually move the frame, as well as fill it out for appearance sake. Muscles are made of long, thin fibers that can stretch out or bunch up. When they bunch up, as in your biceps, your arm moves. Body builders know that the more you use your muscles, the stronger they get, which is very important for people who do hard physical work. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. How many say 'Thank you God for muscles?" Third is the Digestive system. We have a skeleton and muscles to move the body, but without energy, we're not going anywhere. So, the purpose of the digestive system is to provide energy. The food we eat begins to digest as soon as we chew it. Then it goes to the stomach where a chemical process takes place, using enzymes and acids, etc., to break up the food into tiny molecules that can be absorbed into the cells. The molecules are like tiny logs, which burn slowly (not with a flame - ho! ho!), giving off heat and energy. Can you say, 'Thank God for the digestive system?" and especially for the delicious food that we must eat to keep it going. Fourth is the respiratory system. The little molecules of fuel cannot bum without oxygen, so we have a pair of lungs and a windpipe which enable us to breathe in the air. The lungs are like millions of micro balloons, which expand and contract, holding on to the oxygen and letting the carbon dioxide escape. Did you thank God today for lungs? The fifth system makes everything work. It's called the circulatory system. A big, all-muscle pump called the heart, moves the blood throughout the body. It pumps it at the rate of about sixty times a minute. The blood flows through arteries, which are like one way major highways, getting smaller and smaller until they become microscopic and are called capillaries. The blood then returns through the veins to the heart, where it is pumped out again. Every blood cell is like a truck that goes to the lungs for oxygen, to the small intestine for fuel, and then off to all the cells of the body. Not only does it drop off the fuel and oxygen, but it picks up the waste gas and expels it through the lungs. The Bible says the life of the flesh is in the blood. It is easy to see why. Any cell that isn't taken care of dies. This is why we have heart attacks and strokes. Let's all say hooray for the blood. Incidentally, what a spiritual lesson this is on the blood of Jesus! Sixth is the immune system which is to control and check disease. Since the blood goes everywhere, God put defenders, the white cells, in the blood, where they are able to protect the whole body. Thank the Lord for such protection. Seventh is the glandular system, which is the special effects department to control growth or energy output, or prepare you for an emergency. Thank God for glands. Eighth is the communication or nervous system. It is like the bridge of a ship, or the board room of a company, which controls everything. Even a pinch on the little toe is recorded and an adjustment is ordered. Information that would fill a library is stored in the brain, ready to be retrieved at a moment's notice, try to imagine the chaos we would have if all communication systems in the world were to shut down. Paralysis would set in immediately. Thank God for our central nervous system. Ninth is our sensory system. God gave us five senses so that we'd be aware of our surroundings. They are sight (eyes), sound (ears), taste (taste buds), smell (nose), and feel (touch cells). It is only in the last few years that motion sensors, etc., have been invented. God was way ahead of us. Where would we be without them! Thank God for each one. The last system for this article is the reproductive system. God really made us in His image and likeness when He gave us reproduction powers. This is so fantastic and miraculous that the mind can't absorb it. But - (a big but), seen too often, familiar with the story, first we joke about it, then we endure it. Then we debauch it. God have mercy on us. These facts about our body should overwhelm us and, of course, this article is just a drop in the bucket. David expressed his wonder and amazement in Psalm 139:13. Everyone should express their wonder, if not verbally, then in writing, and include thanks and praise to God. Now that you are suitably impressed with the wonders of the body, I hasten to remind you that our bodies, sadly, are going back to dust. They are only a tent to house the soul. The soul, the real you, is what is really important and the only part that will last forever. So, you ask, what is the purpose of the body? The body is a temporary arrangement to house your soul and see if you are willing to allow God to dwell in you. "Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost?" (I Corinthians 6:19) God's purpose is staled in Genesis 1:26. "Let us make man in our image and likeness." The only way this can be done is for His Spirit to dwell in us. The problem is, He won't dwell in anybody unless He's invited. "He stands at the door and knocks." (Revelation 3:20) II is up to us to invite Him in. If we do, we will be part of the glorious Kingdom of God that is soon to be established on earth. The Lord's prayer will be answered, 'Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth is it is in heaven."