"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin." (Psalm 51:1-2)

A few years ago, I was at the point of death when I had cancer. At that time, I was convinced that I would die and, thus, I wrote a farewell letter to my wife and children. Here is a paragraph from that letter:

"I want you to know that I have repented of all my sins, weakness, and shortcomings, and so far as I know am ready to go on to meet God. I am a sinner, and am relying on God's mercy and goodness, not my own worthiness, to save me. Even now, as I write this letter, I am begging God to remember me for good as I anticipate departing from this life. As everyone knows, it is now completely in God's hands as to whether I will live any longer. I have often taught, and you have heard me say, 'This world is not our home.' There is a world beyond that is far better than this one. May the Great Eternal God reward all of us with it." (From David J. Riggs)