I'm Bringing Reverence Back | Pastor Jackie Groves

Devotional

Day 1: Reverence as the Starting Line for Wisdom

True reverence for God isn’t about cowering before a distant deity—it’s the launchpad for supernatural wisdom. Just as a runner crouches at the starting blocks, positioning determines outcomes. Proverbs 9:10 reveals that awe-filled reverence unlocks divine understanding, not just head knowledge. This wisdom isn’t earned through effort but received through posturing our hearts to honor God’s nature. When we approach Scripture as a love letter rather than a rulebook, our perspective shifts from obligation to holy anticipation. [03:24]

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
(Proverbs 9:10, NIV)

Reflection: What daily habit could better position your heart to receive God’s wisdom? Where has familiarity with Scripture dulled your sense of awe?

Day 2: Purifying Ourselves to Perfect Holiness

Holiness isn’t a religious performance but a responsive act of love. Second Corinthians 7:1 ties purification to reverence—not to earn God’s presence, but because we already have it. Like washing hands before handling precious art, holiness prepares us to steward sacred moments. This isn’t about moral perfection but about removing distractions that mute God’s whispers. Every choice to honor Him, from conversations to consumption, becomes a brushstroke in our portrait of devotion. [04:27]

“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
(2 Corinthians 7:1, NIV)

Reflection: What “contaminants” in your routines or relationships need cleansing to better reflect God’s holiness? How does His promise of presence motivate this purification?

Day 3: Wisdom’s Harvest in a Reverent Life

Godly wisdom isn’t theoretical—it’s earthy and practical, ripening into visible fruit. James 3:17 paints wisdom as peacemaking compost that nourishes communities. Like a farmer trusting seeds to yield harvest, reverence cultivates patience in unresolved situations. This wisdom isn’t frantic problem-solving but steady trust in God’s timing. When we prioritize awe over anxiety, our lives become living commentaries on Christ’s faithfulness. [20:13]

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
(James 3:17, NIV)

Reflection: Where is God inviting you to trade anxious “fixing” for patient trust? How could reverence reshape your response to a current challenge?

Day 4: From Slave Mentality to Sonship’s Confidence

Religion whispers “perform,” but relationship declares “belong.” Romans 8:15 exchanges the fear of punishment for the freedom of adoption. Like a child sprinting into a parent’s arms, reverence flourishes in security, not suspicion. This truth dismantles the lie that God tolerates us—He actually delights in us. Our awe grows not from groveling but from grasping the cost of our adoption. [17:57]

“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’”
(Romans 8:15, NIV)

Reflection: Where do you still relate to God as a fearful servant rather than a loved child? How might embracing sonship/daughterhood change your prayers today?

Day 5: Reverence in the Face of Life’s Pile-Ups

Joseph’s story proves reverence isn’t circumstantial but directional. Betrayal, temptation, and power tests became altars to honor God. Like Daphne’s go-kart crash, our attempts to please people often cause collisions. But Joseph shows that fearing God alone steadies us through others’ opinions and life’s reversals. True reverence chooses obedience when outcomes are unclear, trusting the Driver over the dashboard. [26:54]

“Joseph said to them, ‘Do this and you will live, for I fear God.’”
(Genesis 42:18, ESV)

Reflection: What current “pile-up” in your life needs a shift from people-pleasing to God-honoring? How could Joseph’s long obedience inspire your next faithful step?

Sermon Summary

Proverbs 9:10 sets the framework: the fear of the Lord is not a side topic but the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Second Corinthians 7:1 then presses the aim of that reverence: perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. The contrast between two kinds of fear clarifies the path. Phobos is terror rooted in guilt and shame, the kind of fear perfect love casts out. Yirah is reverent awe. Awe is not lip service. Awe is felt “all the way down to my toes,” the kind that stands still and worships. Psalm 33:8 summons every inhabitant of the earth to that awe.

Scripture as God-breathed calls for a posture ready to be taught, corrected, and trained for righteousness. Reverence shifts familiarity into hunger, so the Bible becomes priceless and obedience becomes normal. The lens matters. Religion seen as legalistic control creates a caricature of an angry God. Relationship as adoption through Christ shows an Abba who welcomes sons and daughters, not slaves, and who ran for the one. Remembering “you were the one” re-ignites awe.

From that posture, wisdom shows. James 3:17 describes wisdom from above as pure, peaceable, gentle, impartial. Wisdom steadies a soul because it is rooted in God’s reputation, not self. Hebrews 13:6 loosens the grip of phobos so that the fear of people dies down. Proverbs 29:25 calls fear of man a trap, and the go-kart story lays it bare: deference to everyone else’s opinion piles up wrecks, while reverence for God keeps a life on course. Daily reverence means less daily worry, because “safe is so good” in his presence.

Understanding then forms action. God’s kindness is not clearance for drift; it is a summons to repentance (Romans 2:4). Psalm 119:34 prays for understanding so obedience can be wholehearted. Like the old Magic Eye art, clarity comes by coming close and resting the gaze. Circumstantial explanation is not promised, but understanding of God is. That is enough to say yes.

Holiness is then pulled from a life set apart. First Peter 1:15–16 calls for holiness in all one does. Every gift and sphere belongs to his glory, not to human credit. Joseph’s story traces the steps: rejection endured with reverence, temptation repelled with “I will not sin against my God,” unjust consequences carried with humility, and power exercised with mercy because “I fear God.” Reverence becomes visible in worship, in choices, in refusals, and in forgiveness. So the call sounds simple and sharp: “I’m bringing reverence back.” Lay every area at his feet in awe of his faithfulness.

Key Takeaways

1. Reverence is wisdom’s starting place Reverent awe reframes God as holy, near, and trustworthy, which unlocks the kind of wisdom that settles the heart. The Bible moves from familiar to priceless, because God’s presence is recognized in every line. Wisdom that begins in awe is gentle and steady because it rests on God’s character, not on personal control. That posture is how holiness is perfected out of reverence. [04:27]
2. Perfect love ends terror, births awe Phobos shrinks under the weight of perfect love, so guilt-driven terror gives way to worshipful reverence. When fear is rooted in punishment, the soul flinches and hides; when love takes over, the soul bows and sings. Awe does not excuse sin, it draws close enough to be changed. Love does not make God lighter, it makes him nearer. [10:39]
3. Daily awe quiets the fear of man A heart that fears God stops swerving for every passing opinion. Wisdom grows calm, and calm grows courage. The trap of people-pleasing causes pileups, but reverence keeps a straight line toward calling. Daily reverence means less daily worry, because “safe is so good” in the presence of God. [22:41]
4. Holiness grows near the Holy One Holiness is not theatrics, it is nearness that becomes likeness. The closer the gaze, the clearer the image, and the simpler the yes. Joseph’s reverence made purity possible, humility believable, and mercy beautiful. Set-apart lives stop grabbing for credit and start giving God the glory in everything. [35:34]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:21] - Fear of God series
[02:06] - Proverbs 9:10: beginning of wisdom
[04:27] - Holiness out of reverence
[05:59] - Bringing reverence back
[09:24] - Two kinds of fear explained
[11:12] - Awe that leads to worship
[14:10] - All Scripture is God-breathed
[16:41] - Adopted, not enslaved
[19:33] - Wisdom that calms and steadies
[22:41] - Go-kart story: fear of man trap
[27:55] - Understanding that shapes obedience
[31:39] - Closer to God, clearer vision
[33:07] - Holiness for God’s glory
[35:34] - Joseph’s reverent life
[39:48] - Humble deeds and fresh commitment
[42:32] - Salvation and rededication

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Proverbs 9:10 (ESV)
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."

2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV)
"Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God."

Observation Questions

What two types of fear (phobos and yirah) are contrasted in the sermon, and how do they differ in their effects on our relationship with God?
According to the sermon, how does daily reverence for God reduce daily worry? (See the "go-kart story" example [22:41].)
What practical examples from Joseph’s life (Genesis 37–50) illustrate a posture of reverence toward God?

Interpretation Questions

Why does Proverbs 29:25 call the "fear of man" a trap, and how does the go-kart story [22:41] illustrate this danger?
How does viewing God through the lens of relationship (Romans 8:15) rather than religion change our understanding of holiness?
The sermon says, "Understanding of God’s character, not circumstances, is enough to say yes to obedience." How does this connect to Psalm 119:34’s prayer for understanding?

Application Questions

In what area of your life (e.g., relationships, career, decisions) do you most often prioritize others’ opinions over God’s truth? What step could you take this week to shift that focus toward reverence?
The sermon mentions Joseph’s response to temptation: “I will not sin against my God” [37:22]. What specific temptation or compromise do you need to confront with this same declaration?
How could you intentionally cultivate “daily awe” in your routine (e.g., prayer, Scripture reading, gratitude) to quiet the fear of man?
The go-kart story [22:41] highlights how people-pleasing causes “pileups.” Where have you experienced this in your own life, and how might trusting God’s wisdom steady your path?
The sermon urges, “Lay every area at his feet in awe of his faithfulness.” What area (finances, relationships, habits) have you not fully surrendered to God’s holiness? What would surrender look like practically?

Sermon Clips

43s

#ReverenceInAction

“When confronted by temptation, he reverenced God. When offered high praise and glory, he reverenced God. When facing bitterness and a hurt, he reverenced God. See, reverence for God is not just a statement to be made, it is an action to be lived. And I don't know about you, but in the face of rejection, I wanna reverence God. And when I'm confronted by temptation, I wanna reverence God. And when I am offered high praise and glory, I wanna give it all back in reverence, God. And when I'm facing bitterness, and I am facing hurt, and I'm facing wounds, I want to reverence my God and my God alone.”

40s

#KindnessLeadsToRepentance

“Don't you view the kindness of God as an opportunity to just continue doing whatever you wanna do, family. The kindness of God is intended to cause you to turn toward him and to be more like him. That is what his kindness does. It's the understanding of that, his kindness that leads our hearts to repentance, causing us to live obedient to his word and his will. Psalm one nineteen verse 34 says, give me understanding and I will obey your instructions. I will put them into practice with all my heart.”

38s

#ImmovableFaith

“People will see wisdom on you when you live a life that has a reverence for God. There will be a wisdom there that is evident. James three seventeen says, but the wisdom from above is pure, first of all. It is also peaceful and gentle and friendly. It's full of compassion and it produces a harvest of good deeds. It is free from prejudice and hypocrisy. Y'all, that sounds like calm and steady faith, doesn't it? That sounds like an immovable faith. We talk about the type of faith that is postured so steady and strong.”

33s

#TrustAndObey

“You may not always get an understanding of your circumstance, but you will get an understanding of your God. You will get an understanding of who God is, and that understanding will help you to say, yes, God. I will obey you in the midst of the circumstance that I don't get because my understanding doesn't cover all areas. My understanding covers you, and that is more than enough. The fear of God and reverence for his presence will lead you to choose obedience.”

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I'm Bringing Reverence Back | Pastor Jackie Groves | Hope City