Hymns Permeate My Heart

I don't want to denounce the value of the Bible, but sometimes lines from hymns stick with me better than passages from Scripture. I can read certain verses and it makes me think of certain hymns. I feel a little ashamed at times when I think "Oh, that Bible verse comes from this song" - when in reality it is the other way around. Nevertheless, I am incredibly grateful to the hymn writers throughout the centuries for giving me another resource and inspiration for my Christian walk. When certain truths are put to music, they are easier to remember, and at times they make more sense.
One of my favorite hymns that is rather unknown is called "Before the Throne of God Above", or can also be titled, "The Advocate", as I have recently discovered. I was first introduced to it several years ago at the girls summer camp at my church. It is written by Charitie Lees Smith, who is also an unknown hymn writer. She wrote "The Advocate" when she was twenty two years old, which is quite inspiring considering the truths present and the skill with which she manipulates the lyrics. It speaks of Christ being our all in all, sufficient for every trial we may ever face. We need not fear for He is our Savior, friend, advocate.
Lately I have been going through spiritual attack of being overwhelmed by guilt. I feel guilty for things I haven't even done or I have no control over, and I continue to feel guilty for sins I have already confessed and been forgiven of. The most frustrating part of it all is that I still have this tremendous desire to please God and so I don't want to ignore these feelings of guilt if they are coming from Him, pointing me to obedience or repentance. But after a while I had to realize that these feelings couldn't come from Him, as they are almost paralyzing, driving me into intense despair. A couple lines from this hymn, "The Advocate", came to my mind and a peace washed over me as I re-realized Who was on my side. They begin the second verse:
"When Satan tempts to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within;
Upward I look and see Him there,
Who made an end of all my sin."
This is the gospel. Christ's atoning sacrifice cleanses us not only from the power of sin, but also its guilt. Satan will try to bring us down by reminding us of past sins (or in my case, things never even committed), but to quote another hymn: "What though the accuser roar, of ills that I have done, I know them well, and thousands more, Jehovah findeth none!" As believers, God the Father sees us as righteous because we are clothes with the righteousness of Christ. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1
Praise Jesus that this is true! I am so thankful that His sacrificial work on the cross atones for all my sin - past, present, and future! I have nothing to fear or worry about because of His infinite love for me!
P.S. "The Advocate" is so good that I would like to post the lyrics on this blog, but I'll do it in a separate post. :)