Most of us never think about our skin unless it is injured or needs washing, but it is a most necessary part of the body. The underside is called the dermis, which is filled with nerve endings, blood vessels and glands. Over this is the epidermis, the visible part.
If you could spread an adult’s skin out flat, it would cover about eighteen square feet, with each square inch containing approximately three feet of tiny blood vessels, twelve feet of nerves, one hundred sweat glands and more than three million cells! Strangely enough, the skin’s surface is actually dead. However, the cells at its base are alive, and new ones are continually being produced. These new cells push the old, dying ones to the surface where they get rubbed off, even though we cannot see this taking place.
Your skin is armor, providing protection from outside harm and a barrier to disease-causing germs and foreign matter. Healthy skin can stand harsh weather and extreme temperatures of hot and cold that would damage your internal organs. It also plays an important part in the control of body temperature. When you are uncomfortably warm, radiation (the heat given off from your body) is made possible by perspiration, with its cooling effect. But in cold weather the pores close up, and body heat is kept inside. Isn’t it interesting that skin permits moisture (sweat) to come out, but allows no moisture to go in, even if submerged in water?
The lines and whorls on our hands provide tiny ridges to grip objects that are to be handled. Those on the feet give a barefooted person sure contact wherever he walks. Perfectly smooth hands and feet would not work well at all. A wise Creator provided the little ridges. Fingerprints and footprints also are a positive means of identifying people—no two are alike, not even identical twins.
Of what use are fingernails? They stiffen the fingertips and offer protection from injury as well. Without them it would be impossible for the fingers to pick up most small objects.
Skin has a remarkable ability to recover from injury. Even when serious damage takes place, healthy skin will heal itself, often leaving a scar to remind its owner of the help it has given him.
When our faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ, we learn that we have another armor that protects against the attacks of Satan. Two important parts of this armor are the “Word of God,” the Bible, and “the shield of faith.” When, with God’s help, we put these to use, we can resist Satan and find joy in the Lord Jesus. This armor is explained fully in Ephesians 6:10-1810Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:10‑18). It is good to read these scriptures often.
ML-05/31/2009