Shield of defense

Elementary science taught most of us that our bodies are comprised of both red and white blood cells. We see the evidence of the red cells….maybe not always a pleasant sight, what with needles and such, but blood is certainly a good thing to be running through our veins.  The white cells are less conspicuous, but there are approximately half a million white blood cells in every drop of human blood. They are responsible for fighting off infections and protecting our bodies from foreign particles…..germs, bacteria, viral cells. Physically, we are under attack, but our intricate systems are well equipped to battle the alien organisms due to these cellular soldiers that are constantly at work.

An important segment of this regime is closely monitoring my white blood cell count. The “numbers” plunge during the wk, causing concern; yet each Monday the count has mercifully returned to a more acceptable level. I am thankful for these microscopic warriors that are defending my system against assault from unknown harm.

As impressed as I am to have these minuscule guards protecting my well-being, I am far more grateful for the God who thought this all up in the first place as He “knit me together.” The life sustaining cells, both red and white, vital and essential, are a pale shadow of the greater life  supporting blood that was shed for me and promises an eternal safeguard. “By His wounds we are healed.” Though I pray for those white blood cell counts to remain strong, I rest to a much greater degree in the promise of  Psalm 91that pictures the mightier protection that is ours for the asking, and is even more trustworthy than the miracle of our battling blood cells.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
       will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
       my God, in whom I trust."
  Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
       and from the deadly pestilence.
  He will cover you with his feathers,
       and under his wings you will find refuge;
       his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
  You will not fear the terror of night,
       nor the arrow that flies by day,
  nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
       nor the plague that destroys at midday.  
  If you make the Most High your dwelling—
       even the LORD, who is my refuge-
  then no harm will befall you,
       no disaster will come near your tent.
  For he will command his angels concerning you
       to guard you in all your ways;
  they will lift you up in their hands,
       so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
       I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
       I will be with him in trouble,
       I will deliver him and honor him.
 With long life will I satisfy him
       and show him my salvation."