57. This Psalm is Deeply Important to Me

What are you looking to for help today?In this reflection on Psalm 121, John Ortberg explores two simple actions that can make today a blessed day:God watches over us.We lift our eyes toward Him.But "I lift up my eyes to the hills" may mean something different than we often assume. In the ancient world, the hills weren't merely beautiful. They were places of idolatry, uncertainty, and danger. The psalmist looks directly toward them and asks: Where does my help really come from?John explores what it means to live under God's watchful care, why Psalm 121 doesn't promise a life without suffering, and how this Psalm became deeply personal as he recited its final words at his father's deathbed.Whatever hills you're facing today, your help comes from the One who made them.In this episode:Psalm 121 and God's watchful care"I lift up my eyes to the hills"The high places and ancient idolatryWhat we're tempted to trust instead of GodNicholas Wolterstorff and Lament for a SonWhy God's protection doesn't mean a pain-free lifeRomans 8 and God's inseparable loveJohn Ortberg's final moments with his fatherScriptures:Psalm 1211 Kings 18Romans 8:35–39#Psalm121 #JohnOrtberg #Psalms #Prayer #TrustGod #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Faith #godspresence 🙌 New episodes every weekday.📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT us at 51504EMAIL US at [email protected] OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our teamDOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/Music Credits:Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKEAlta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF00:00 Two Actions for a Really Good Day00:21 John's Most Meaningful Psalm00:43 I Lift Up My Eyes to the Hills01:30 God Is Watching Over Your Life02:22 Living the Watched-Over Life02:46 What Does "Lift Up My Eyes" Mean?03:08 The Hills & Ancient Idolatry03:29 What Are Your Idols?04:13 The Hills We Have to Climb04:55 "He Will Not Let Your Foot Slip"05:17 Nicholas Wolterstorff & Lament for a Son05:39 The Friend Who Put Psalm 121 to Music06:04 The God Who Never Sleeps06:34 Living in the Shade of God07:16 The Moon, Madness & a Sound Mind07:40 Harm Doesn't Mean No Hurt08:05 Nothing Can Separate You From God's Love08:31 Psalm 121 at My Father's Deathbed09:26 Face Your Hills & Lift Your Eyes09:48 My Help Comes From the Lord