Introduction

Vertical 73 is all about answering our doubts and fears that would creep up to us in life. We are constantly challenged, God’s Word is consistently undermined in our world and, sometimes on this side of heaven, we have doubts.

Where the Idea for Vertical 73 Came from

Dealing with doubt is what we must do if we are to walk with God. On April 28, 2019 Dr Mark Harris preached a sermon titled, “Dealing With Doubt.” Through the sermon we visit a song writers journey as he dealt with doubt in his life. The song writers name is Asaph and he was a priest in Israel during the time of King David.

The problem for Asaph is that he was doubting because he had a horizontal vision when he should have had a vertical vision. Psalm 73 is his journey in changing his vision back to a vertical, looking at God and not looking at the world vision.

Here is a link if you would like to hear that sermon. https://www.alliancechurch.org/sermons/dealing-with-doubt.

Vertical 73 Mission

Vertical 73 will do nothing but point us to Christ. To give us a vertical vision that will gives a proper perspective in life so we can honor God and worship him correctly and love on those around us as Jesus did with those who were around him when he was here on earth.

Vertical 73 will as the verse says, “Fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith.” Hebrews 12

The idea for Vertical 73 comes from a sermon I heard. It was on Psalm 73. Asaph wrote this Psalm and spells out his journey of taking his eyes off of God and putting it on his surroundings. It messed him up. 
It wasn’t until he turned his view back vertically toward God that he had a proper attitude, view and was secure in his thinking. 
Vertical 73 is a blog that will attempt to keep our eyes vertical on God or to (as the writer of Hebrews says, “Fix our eyes on Jesus”.
For the rest of this post I would like to take a look at Asaph’s journey and dive right into Psalm 73.
Here is the passage. Read it and learn from Asaph:
A Psalm of Asaph.73

Truly God is good to Israel,   

to those who are pure in heart.

2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,   

my steps had nearly slipped.

3 For I was envious of the arrogant   

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For they have no pangs until death;   

their bodies are fat and sleek.

5 They are not in trouble as others are;   

they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.

6 Therefore pride is their necklace;   

violence covers them as a garment.

7 Their eyes swell out through fatness;   

their hearts overflow with follies.

8 They scoff and speak with malice;   

loftily they threaten oppression.

9 They set their mouths against the heavens,   

and their tongue struts through the earth.

10 Therefore his people turn back to them,   

and find no fault in them.

11 And they say, “How can God know?   

Is there knowledge in the Most High?”

12 Behold, these are the wicked;   

always at ease, they increase in riches.

13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean   

and washed my hands in innocence.

14 For all the day long I have been stricken   

and rebuked every morning.

15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”   

I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
16 But when I thought how to understand this,   

it seemed to me a wearisome task,

17 until I went into the sanctuary of God;   

then I discerned their end.
18 Truly you set them in slippery places;   

you make them fall to ruin.

19 How they are destroyed in a moment,   

swept away utterly by terrors!

20 Like a dream when one awakes,   

O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.

21 When my soul was embittered,   

when I was pricked in heart,

22 I was brutish and ignorant;   

I was like a beast toward you.
23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you;   

you hold my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel,   

and afterward you will receive me to glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?   

And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail,   

but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;   

you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.

28 But for me it is good to be near God;   

I have made the Lord God my refuge,   

that I may tell of all your works.

Read through this and write down 2 attributes of God and 2 areas that you can relate to. Finally, write down 1 area that you believe you need to work on in your life.