How good are we, really, at experiencing God’s presence? How would you define His love and faithfulness? What are the moments that make you say, “Ah, there’s God,” or “I can really feel His presence”? Is it a powerful worship set? Landing the job you prayed for? A vacation in the mountains? A holiday surrounded by family? A peaceful morning with Scripture and a designer cup of coffee? Those moments feel sacred—and they are. But what about the other moments? When you lose a job. When a relationship ends. When someone betrays you. When you’re falsely accused. When you bury someone, you love. How do you define God’s presence then? It certainly doesn’t feel the same as it does in comfort. My goal today is to reshape how you describe and experience God’s presence—to separate it from circumstances entirely. I want to give you a new word, a better word, for God’s love and God’s nearness. A word I hope becomes second nature to you. This week we explore the richness of the majestic Hebrew word chesed—the steadfast, covenant love of God that held Joseph fast no matter what Egypt threw at him. And it’s the same love that holds us today.
