Blister Beetle Protection

Psalm 7:1
“O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me…”

Everyone and, it seems, nearly everything in the creation, wants to be safe. If threatened, we want to have protection.

Many of the methods used for self-protection in the animal world show a great deal of creativity and intelligence. For example, the blister beetle oozes a chemical that effectively deters ants and other predators that might disturb it. The beetle’s entire body serves as a trigger for this self-protection mechanism. As soon as any body part – say a leg – is disturbed, that part of the body begins to ooze the nasty chemical, driving off the predator.

It is surely true that appeal is in the eye of the beholder, for the male blister beetle uses this same chemical to attract female blister beetles! The ornatrix moth employs the same chemical to attract female moths. In fact, many of the chemical tricks used by man for self-protection were first used by insects and other animals. Again, man learns from the way the Creator has designed things.

But the threats against us human beings are much greater. Sin, death and the devil are very real forces in our lives, and without the protection of Jesus Christ, they would continue to be constant dangers into eternity. But thank God that He has provided protection from all the dangers we face through the work of His Son, Jesus Christ!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank You that You are my protector and that Your Son, Jesus Christ, has done everything necessary to save me from sin, death and the devil. Help me not to treat this gift lightly. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Notes:
Jane E. Brody. “Bug Lover Explores Nature’s Subtle Chemistry.” The New York Times, Jan. 10, 1989, p. C1. Photo: Blister beetle. ©entomart.