C.S. Lewis wrote, “No amount of falls will really undo us if we keep on picking ourselves up each time.  We shall of course be very muddy and tattered children by the time we reach home. But the bathrooms are all ready, the towels put out, and the clean clothes in the airing cupboard.”

This image of entering heaven a muddy mess, to be received by the one well prepared and fully capable of cleaning us up, touched me deeply, as I considered the grace and love of God toward our true neediness.

This reminded me of a scripture and hymn symbolizing our need and the Lord’s abundant provision.

“I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35).  “Guide me, Oh Thou Great Jehovah… Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven, Feed me till I want no more.”

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” ( Isa. 55:1). “There’s a fountain free t’is for you and me,…thirsty soul hear the welcome call there’s a fountain open for all.”

In Revelations 2:9 and 3:17, there are two very different churches.  To the church at Smyrna, Yeshua said, “I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!”  To the church at Ladocia, He said, “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’  But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.”

We can not accurately judge ourselves, but the Lord knows how to care for His people. “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord.  “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isa. 1:8).

“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: ‘Hallelujah!  For our Lord God Almighty reigns.  Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!  For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.  Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.’ ” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) (Rev. 19:6-8).