Daily Devotional: Access to the Heart of God
- David A. Case
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
By David A. Case
“Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2, NKJV)
Romans 5 gives a beautiful picture of trust. Because we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him, we have access by faith into grace. That word "access" carries the picture of being brought near, of leaning into the heart of God. Because of Jesus, sin no longer has to separate us from God. The door is open. The question is whether we will use the access we have been given.
Many people believe God exists. James tells us even demons believe and tremble. Belief by itself is not the same as trust. Trust presses in. Trust leans in. Trust follows through. Trust takes the access Jesus purchased and uses it to draw near to God.
This is a different way of seeing the Christian life. I am not standing far away hoping God will throw strength in my direction. I am invited to lean into Him. I am invited to lay my head, so to speak, against the heart of Christ and hear His heartbeat. I am invited to drink of His passions, to receive His desires, to be shaped by His love, and to draw strength from His presence.
Psalm 91 calls God a refuge. Romans 5 shows how we enter that refuge. Jesus has paid for sin. Peace with God is available. Grace is available. Access is available. My own choices are now the issue. Will I run to Him, or will I run elsewhere? Will I press into grace, or will I retreat into self?
This matters especially after failure. When we fail, shame tells us to hide. The old pattern says, “You cannot go to God now.” Yet the gospel says access is open because of Christ, not because of my performance. If I remember the access, I can press back into Him. I can reconnect. I can receive strength. I can start again.
That does not mean obedience is optional. Real trust follows through. If I press into God’s heart, I will also begin to care about what He cares about. I will obey His commands because His passions are becoming mine. This is not cold duty. It is connection producing response.
There is also a relational picture here. When we connect with someone who is truly seeking God with his whole heart, we get a taste of life as God intended it. A God-connected person can help us experience what life-giving relationship feels like. Many people have only known relationships that peddle death. When they finally connect with someone who carries life, hope awakens.
Access. Refuge. Flee into. Dwell. Abide. These are not separate ideas. They are invitations into the same life. Christ has opened the way. I must choose to come near and remain.
Reflection Question
When I fail, do I press into God through Christ, or do I hide and disconnect?
Prayer
Father, thank You for giving me access through Jesus. Teach me to press into Your heart instead of hiding in shame or retreating into self. Let Your passions become my passions, and let Your strength become my strength. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Obedience Step for Today
Pray Romans 5:1–2 slowly today. Then picture yourself coming near to God because of Jesus. Write one sentence beginning with, “Because I have access, I will…”
This devotional was inspired by the book Heart Change Handbook by David A. Case. If you found it helpful, please consider it for your own self-study and suggest it to your church small group or recovery community as a basis for small group study.
If this message has encouraged you to pursue deeper transformation, I invite you to continue the journey through The Heart Change Handbook. It provides a practical, biblical path for spiritual growth and is an excellent resource for church small groups and recovery communities. Consider getting your copy today and introducing it to your group as a guide toward meaningful heart change.
👉 Learn more about Small Group Resources from Heart Change U.
Thank you for this devotional.