In earlier issues we have considered various parts of our bodies and how God has made all of them work together in such special ways. The liver is one of the most important parts of our bodies. It is involved in more than 500 functions for the needs of the body. It is certainly the most complex organ of all and is the largest internal organ. Isn’t it strange that we rarely think about it unless some trouble develops?
The liver is the body’s master laboratory which no chemical plant made by man could ever begin to duplicate. It filters out impurities and waste material from the blood, manufactures organic compounds, and stores and releases nutrients required by the blood. Its work is carried on by millions of cells and enzymes, each a marvel in itself. It supplies the all-important amino acids which, among other things, control the balance of salt and water needed for the blood stream.
A principal job performed by the liver is regulating the blood so it will be neither too thin nor too thick. The most skillful scientists do not fully know how this is done. But we know that it is one of the wise provisions of the Lord God, the Creator, who has made every part of our bodies work in harmony with every other part.
When we cut our skin blood immediately appears. This flow of blood not only helps clean any dirt and germs from the wound, but it soon thickens and forms a clot which becomes a scab, permitting the injured part to heal over. The liver is responsible for supplying the chemicals in the blood that allow this to happen. Yet, it is the same liver that keeps the blood from clotting inside the veins and blood vessels where clotting would be very dangerous and perhaps fatal.
When food reaches the stomach, the liver receives a signal and stands by to add vitamins, chemicals and minerals to the blood stream. It sends its own signal to the gallbladder, instructing it to release bile to aid in the final digestion of this food. For fatty food the gallbladder automatically sends an extra supply of bile; otherwise a severe stomach ache would result.
The liver performs without any instructions that we have to control, which is good, because it senses needs that we are not even aware of. These instructions were implanted when God created man, and it has followed them faithfully ever since.
How good it would be if man would hear and follow God’s instructions just as faithfully: “He that hath My commandments (teachings), and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.” John 14:2121He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:21).
Next week we will consider more of the remarkable performances of this important part of the body.
ML-08/08/1982