Our Relationship with God: How to Restore It When You Feel Spiritually “Locked Out”
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Have you ever tried unlocking your phone only to have it reject your face over and over? The screen just won’t budge, and you’re left staring at a reflection that the system doesn’t recognize. It’s frustrating because you know you’re you—but somehow, the device doesn’t.
For many believers in Yeshua, that’s how prayer and connection with God can feel: like trying to access a spiritual realm that seems to deny our entry.
Like a locked phone requiring a recognized face or the correct passcode, our relationship with God functions through identity. Not performance. Not perfect religious observance. Identity. Access to intimacy with God is granted when we are known and recognized in relationship—not just when we try hard enough.
This isn’t a punishment or test—it’s protection and promise. God’s presence is sacred, and He invites us in through the door of relationship. That’s why our relationship with God is the key that unlocks divine intimacy.
In this post, we’ll explore what it really means to be recognized by God—not just as someone who believes, but as someone who is known.
Our Relationship with God Requires Access, Not Just Intention
Face ID and Faith: Why Recognition Matters
Yeshua said:
“I am the gate! If anyone comes in through Me, he will be saved”.
John 10:9 TLV
That’s not about limiting access—it’s about secure, recognized, and holy access. Just as a phone protects your information from strangers, God’s presence is not randomly available; it’s made accessible to those who are His children.
He recognizes those who are in covenant with Him. God’s invitation is always rooted in relationship, not in ritual or performance.
Relationship Over Ritual: The Key to Accessing God
In Jewish tradition, access to God has always hinged on more than ritual. The Hebrew word for knowing, yada, is used in Scripture to describe intimate relationship—like when it says, “Adam knew Eve.” This knowing is experiential, covenantal, and mutual. Our relationship with God isn’t about knowing facts—it’s about being known by Him.
The Biblical Pattern: Access to God Starts with Relationship
This kind of spiritual recognition isn’t something WE invented. It’s deeply woven into the story of Scripture. From the beginning, God has always prioritized relationship over ritual, presence over performance.
Let’s take a look at how this shows up clearly in the Bible.
John 10: “My Sheep Know My Voice”
Yeshua tells us clearly: “My sheep hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27 TLV). Notice the order: hearing comes from being known, and following flows from relationship. This is not transactional—it’s deeply personal.
Psalm 139: You Are Already Known
Before we seek God, He already knows us. “You have searched me, LORD, and You know me” (Psalm 139:1). There’s comfort and conviction in this. God sees past our masks, and He wants authenticity—not pretense.
Matthew 7:23 — “I Never Knew You”
These are haunting words: “I never knew you. Get away from Me, you workers of lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:23 TLV). The people spoken to had done religious works, but lacked true relationship. They had activity without intimacy.
When Our Relationship with God Feels Distant
Even with all this truth, there are still times when God feels far away. We know He’s near, but our hearts don’t always catch up. What do we do when our relationship with God feels distant, disconnected, or even dry?
Trying to Hack God’s Presence Through Works
It’s tempting to think we can earn intimacy with God. Like spiritual hackers, we try to break in using service, fasting, or Bible study alone. These are beautiful practices—but they aren’t substitutes for relationship.
The Problem with Religious Performance
Judaism teaches that mitzvot (commandments) are relational acts—expressions of love between the Creator and His people. When reduced to performance, they become empty rituals. Even Mussar, the Jewish discipline of ethical refinement, emphasizes inner transformation over outward display.
How Shame and Guilt Disrupt Access
Shame whispers that we’re too dirty for God to look at. Guilt says we’ve messed up too badly. But Scripture reminds us that we approach God not by merit, but through mercy:
“Let us draw near to the throne of grace with boldness”.
Hebrews 4:16 TLV
How to Be Recognized: Your Identity in Christ
If being known by God is what gives us access, then the next question is personal: how do we become someone God recognizes? The answer isn’t found in effort—it’s found in identity. Let’s talk about what it means to live in your true identity in Messiah.
Abiding in the Vine (John 15)
Yeshua paints a clear picture: “I am the vine; you are the branches” (John 15:5). Branches aren’t workers—they are extensions of the vine. We don’t strive to be recognized; we abide. We remain. That’s how intimacy grows.
Our Relationship with God Is Rooted in Grace
Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that it’s by grace we are saved, not works. The Hebrew word for grace, chen, implies favor that can’t be earned. In Jewish thought, God’s chesed—His covenant loyalty—sustains us even when we falter.
The Role of the Holy Spirit in Spiritual Recognition
Romans 8:16 tells us:
“The Ruach (Spirit) Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
TLV – parentheses mine
The Spirit is our divine fingerprint match. He affirms our identity, not because of what we do, but because of who we belong to.
Our Relationship with God Grows Like a Biometric Match
Recognition doesn’t just happen once. Just like your phone learns your face better over time, our relationship with God deepens the more we show up. The more we lean into Him, the more clearly we reflect who we truly are as His children.
Spiritual Habits That Build Recognition
Just as your phone learns your face better the more you use it, consistent spiritual practices like prayer, Sabbath rest, and gratitude help deepen our awareness of God and His awareness of us.
Consistency vs. Performance in the Christian Life
It’s not about doing more for God; it’s about showing up regularly. Mussar teaches us that hitlamdut—a mindset of continual learning—is better than striving. God shapes us through consistent openness.
Living in Vulnerability with God
Psalm 51 is David’s raw confession. He doesn’t hide; he invites God in. “Create in me a clean heart, O God” is not just a request—it’s a posture. Vulnerability unlocks what hiding never can.
Barriers That Lock Us Out of God’s Presence
If God’s presence is available and His voice is familiar, why do we still feel shut out sometimes? The truth is, there are things that can quietly block our access—not because God turns away, but because we do.
Let’s look at some of the common barriers that can get in the way of our relationship with God.
Bitterness, Busyness, and Self-Sufficiency
Bitterness hardens our hearts. Busyness crowds out our awareness. Self-sufficiency blocks our need. All three sever our connection with God’s Spirit—not because He withdraws, but because we stop showing up.
Comparison Culture and Inauthentic Faith
When we compare and mimic our spiritual walk to others’, we wear masks. But God doesn’t recognize spiritual impersonators. He seeks the real you.
What to Do When You Feel Spiritually Ghosted
If God feels silent, don’t assume absence. Return to the basics: Scripture, prayer, community, and rest. Often, spiritual silence is an invitation to deeper seeking, not a rejection.
Unlocking the Door: What Scripture Teaches
Thankfully, God doesn’t leave us guessing about how to access Him. Throughout the Bible, we find clear truths about who opens the door to divine intimacy—and how. Scripture gives us keys, and they all point back to relationship.
Jesus as the Gate (John 10:9)
The Greek word for gate here, thyra, also means doorway. Yeshua isn’t just a guard—He’s the entrance. He invites us in by name.
“Access Through One Spirit” (Ephesians 2:18)
This access isn’t general—it’s deeply personal. Through the Ruach, we have access to the Father as beloved children, not strangers.
Grace as the Only Passcode That Works
No amount of good deeds can unlock God’s heart. Grace is the passcode, and it’s already been entered on our behalf through Yeshua.
Prayer as Activation, Not Emergency Access
How Prayer Reflects Our Relationship with God
Prayer is not just asking—it’s relating. It reveals how well we know God, and how much we trust that He knows us.
Hearing God’s Voice Through Daily Intimacy
Yeshua said His sheep know His voice. That comes from daily closeness, not occasional cries for help.
Speaking Honestly: Unlocking God’s Heart
When we speak honestly to God—fears, failures, and all—we invite intimacy. The Psalms are full of raw, unfiltered emotion. That’s not irreverent—it’s real.
Examples of People Who Had Deep Relationship with God
Moses: Face to Face (Exodus 33)
Moses spoke with God “face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.” That’s the kind of access God desires for us—not because Moses was perfect, but because he was present.
David: Known by His Heart
Despite his failures, David was called “a man after God’s own heart.” Why? Because he continually returned to relationship, even after sin.
Mary of Bethany: Closer Than Performance
While others served, Mary sat. Yeshua praised her not for what she did, but for who she chose to be—with Him.
How to Strengthen Our Relationship with God Today
Daily Practices for Deeper Spiritual Access
- Start your day with prayer
- Journal one way God showed up that day
- Practice Sabbath rest weekly
- Choose a Psalm to pray aloud daily
Asking: “Does God Know Me?”
It’s not just “Do I know God?” but “Does God recognize me as His?” That’s the core of divine intimacy—being seen and known.
Invitation vs. Obligation in Spiritual Growth
God doesn’t guilt you into relationship—He invites you. The question is: will we RSVP?
My Final Thoughts
Our relationship with God isn’t a puzzle to solve—it’s an invitation to be known. Just like a phone unlocks only when the right face appears, divine intimacy is accessed not through effort, but through identity. And our identity is found in Yeshua, through grace, by faith.
You’re not locked out. You’re being invited in.
If this message stirred something in you, I’d love to hear about it. Drop a comment below and let’s talk.
And be sure to join our new online forum right here on our website where we will explore these truths together in community.
We Now Have Worship Songs!
We’re so excited to share something close to our hearts—original worship music that blends joyful Hebrew praise with rich spiritual meaning. Our newest release, “Rikud Lifnei HaMelech” (Dance Before the King), is a celebration of worship and freedom in the presence of God.
Whether you’re dancing in your living room or soaking in His presence quietly, this song is a reminder that we serve a King who delights in our joy.
Check out the YouTube video below and worship along with us!
We’ve also created worship songs for both kids and adults, with lyrics that are rooted in Scripture and rhythms that bring joy to the soul. You can now stream all our music on:
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
- Apple Music
- Other streaming services too
Just search for our songs (She Opens Her Bible) and let them bless your home, your drive, or your Bible study time. We pray they strengthen your relationship with God and stir up your heart to praise.
FAQs About Our Relationship with God
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How do I know if I really have a relationship with God?
Look for signs of relational connection: desire to spend time with God, awareness of His presence, conviction when you stray, and love for His Word and people.
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Can someone lose access to God after knowing Him?
No true relationship is fragile, but intimacy can grow cold. While God never leaves, our distance can affect our experience. Return, and you’ll find Him waiting.
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Why is intimacy with God sometimes hard to feel?
Distractions, unconfessed sin, or spiritual dryness can dull our senses. Sometimes, God allows silence to develop deeper faith.
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What’s the difference between religion and relationship?
Religion is routine without intimacy; relationship is connection. One is obligation. The other is invitation.
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How can I rebuild our relationship with God after sin?
Start with confession, then move into conversation. Don’t wait to “get clean.” Come as you are. He already knows—and still invites you close.
About Our Author
Diane Ferreira is a Jewish believer in Yeshua, a published author, speaker, seminary student, wife, and proud mom. She is the author of several books, including The Proverbs 31-ish Woman, which debuted as Amazon’s #1 New Release in Religious Humor. She is also a luxury travel specialist and owner of Diane Ferreira Travel Partners. She is currently pursuing her graduate degree in Jewish Studies, with her favorite topics being the early church and Biblical Hebrew. Diane writes and teaches from a unique perspective, bridging her Jewish heritage with vibrant faith in the Messiah to bring clarity, depth, and devotion to everyday believers.
When she’s not writing, studying, or teaching, you’ll find her curled up with a good book, crocheting something cozy, or researching her next trip.
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Tree of Life (TLV) – Scripture taken from the Holy Scriptures, Tree of Life Version*. Copyright © 2014,2016 by the Tree of Life Bible Society. Used by permission of the Tree of Life Bible Society.