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 idolatry
What we're tempted to trust instead of God
Nicholas Wolterstorff and Lament for a Son
Why God's protection doesn't mean a pain-free life
Romans 8 and God's inseparable love
John Ortberg's final moments with his father

Scriptures:

Psalm 121
1 Kings 18
Romans 8:35–39

#Psalm121 #JohnOrtberg #Psalms #Prayer #TrustGod #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Faith #godspresence 

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Music Credits:
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00:00 Two Actions for a Really Good Day
00:21 John's Most Meaningful Psalm
00:43 I Lift Up My Eyes to the Hills
01:30 God Is Watching Over Your Life
02:22 Living the Watched-Over Life
02:46 What Does "Lift Up My Eyes" Mean?
03:08 The Hills & Ancient Idolatry
03:29 What Are Your Idols?
04:13 The Hills We Have to Climb
04:55 "He Will Not Let Your Foot Slip"
05:17 Nicholas Wolterstorff & Lament for a Son
05:39 The Friend Who Put Psalm 121 to Music
06:04 The God Who Never Sleeps
06:34 Living in the Shade of God
07:16 The Moon, Madness & a Sound Mind
07:40 Harm Doesn't Mean No Hurt
08:05 Nothing Can Separate You From God's Love
08:31 Psalm 121 at My Father's Deathbed
09:26 Face Your Hills & Lift Your Eyes
09:48 My Help Comes From the Lord