The live performance of at the West Angeles Cathedral in 2002 was a defining moment for South African guitarist and singer Jonathan Butler and saxophonist Kirk Whalum . Recorded for the landmark album The Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter II , this track captures a vulnerability that bridged the worlds of smooth jazz and pure gospel worship. The Story Behind the Song

Growing up under apartheid in South Africa , Butler was often exploited and forbidden from staying in the venues where he performed. His music, including this song, became a vehicle for resilience and a "plea" for personal and land-wide healing .

Butler often remarks that while he wrote the song, it eventually "transcended individual ownership," becoming a personal anthem for listeners who felt their own connection to the lyrics. The 2002 Live Performance

Butler has noted that the song’s themes of protection and faith draw parallels between his own life and the biblical story of Joseph .

While the song has become a global worship staple, its roots are deeply personal to Jonathan Butler:

The 2002 recording at West Angeles Cathedral was significant for several reasons: Kirk Whalum - Apple Music