In every garden, fruit begins with roots. Without healthy roots, the fruit can’t flourish. Worship works the same way.
Many of us love the fruit of worship — the joy, the freedom, the victory, the tangible presence of God. But before worship can produce anything, it must first take root in reverence. Reverence is the soil from which all true worship grows.
Today, the Lord is calling His Church to understand the difference between reverence and the fruit of worship—because both matter, but they are not the same.
Reverence: The Root
Reverence is the quiet recognition of who God is—holy. It’s like standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon—speechless at its vastness, aware of how small you are in comparison, yet completely captivated by its beauty. Or like standing before the ocean, watching the waves stretch endlessly beyond what your eyes can see, realizing that His presence is even greater still. Or like gazing at a mountain range, feeling both grounded and humbled by its immovable strength. These moments of awe remind us of His majesty. That same wonder is what fills our hearts when we truly see God for who He is. Reverence is the posture that acknowledges His presence is weighty and that standing before Him is no small thing. It’s not about fear that pushes us away—it’s about awe that draws us near.
Hebrews 10:22 (NIV) says, “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings…”
When we worship with reverence, we remember that we are loved by a holy God who welcomes us close. Reverence doesn’t push us away—it draws us in. It’s not about perfection or performance; it’s about awe and gratitude.
Reverence is what steadies our hearts before God. It’s what allows us to say, “Lord, I’m here not because I’m worthy, but because You are.” It’s what roots us in humility and keeps us aware that every song, every prayer, every note is sacred—because it’s for Him.
Victory: The Fruit
When reverence takes root, it naturally produces victory. Worship doesn’t ignore the reality of the battle—we live in a world where spiritual warfare is real—but it reminds us that the outcome has already been decided.
Worship is not about fighting harder; it’s about fixing our eyes higher. It shifts our focus from the trial to the throne, from the storm to the Savior. In that place, we remember that Jesus already conquered sin, death, and darkness on the cross.
In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat sent the worshippers ahead of the army. They didn’t sing for victory—they sang from victory. As their voices rose, the Lord fought on their behalf. Worship released the victory that had already been secured.
When our worship is grounded in reverence, it becomes more than a song—it becomes a declaration of trust, an act of surrender, and a reflection of His unshakable triumph. And that victory doesn’t end with us—it flows outward, drawing others into the reality of who God is.
Glorifying God and Edifying One Another
Worship that begins in reverence and overflows into victory naturally leads to glorifying God and building up His people. When we fix our gaze on Him, His glory fills the room—and His glory changes everything.
God’s glory doesn’t just inspire us; it transforms us. When His presence is revealed, hearts soften, chains break, shame lifts, and hope rises. The lost are drawn near, the weary are strengthened, and the church becomes radiant with His light. Glory transforms ordinary gatherings into holy ground—places where heaven touches earth.
In reverence, we glorify Him.
In victory, we declare His triumph.
And in both, we build one another up.
When we glorify God, we are reminded that worship is never self-focused—it’s God-centered and others-minded. The more we exalt Him, the more the Body of Christ is strengthened. His glory unites us, reshapes our perspectives, and realigns our hearts with His purposes. Worship that begins in reverence keeps us humble; worship that bears the fruit of victory keeps us hopeful. Together, they create a church that reflects the heart of heaven—a people whose praise becomes a light in the darkness, whose unity becomes a testimony, and whose adoration becomes a sweet fragrance before the throne.
A Closing Reflection
If reverence is the root and victory the fruit, where are we rooted today? Are we drawing near with sincere hearts? Are we allowing our awe to deepen our trust in His authority, our humility to make room for His power, and our intimacy in knowing Him to rest in His victory?
May we never forget that the foundation of all worship is reverence—a holy awareness of who God is and what He has done. From that place, everything else flows: songs that carry weight, hearts that overflow with grace, and lives that reflect the glory of God, where our praise becomes a weapon against the darkness and we find victory because of what Jesus did on the cross.- ❤️Melissa
