God Writes the Lyrics of our Souls in the Psalms. Why we do what we do makes all the difference. Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob! 2 Raise a song; sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp. 3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day. 4 For it is a statute for Israel, a rule of the God of Jacob. 5 He made it a decree in Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt. I hear a language I had not known: 6 “I relieved your shoulder of the burden; your hands were freed from the basket. 7 In distress you called, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah 8 Hear, O my people, while I admonish you! O Israel, if you would but listen to me! 9 There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god. 10 I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 11 “But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. 12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. 13 Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! 14 I would soon subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes. 15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe toward him, and their fate would last forever. 16 But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” God Desires For Us to Gather Because Our Gathering Leads to His Glory. God Desires For Us to Gather. 4 For it is a statute for Israel a rule of the God of Jacob. He made it a decree in Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt. - Psalm 81:4-5A Leviticus 23:2, “2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.” Our primary motivation should never be to come to church out of obligation to another person but out of loving obedience to God. Our gathering leads to his Glory Isaiah 43:7, “everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31) “Let your light so shine among men that they may see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). “Colossians 1:16, “16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” In the presence of God, his people fall on their faces in worship (Genesis 17:3; Nehemiah 8:6; Ezekiel 1:28; Revelation 4:9–10; 5:8, 14). In the presence of God, his people raise their hands in worship (1 Kings 8:22; Ezra 9:5; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalm 63:4; 134:2; 141:2). In the presence of God, his people bow down in worship (Exodus 34:8; Psalm 5:7; Isaiah 66:23; Zephaniah 2:11). In the presence of God, his people even dance in worship (2 Samuel 6:14; Psalm 149:3; 150:4). The Goal is not to be denominational in our worship expression; the Goal is to be Biblical. When we receive Biblical Correction, We Forfeit Personal Authority