Photo by Pietro De Grandi
Contemporary Christian band Vertical Worship began in 2012 as music collective born out of Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago, Illinois. Formerly known as Vertical Church Band, they released eight albums and four EP’s, including:
- Live Worship from Vertical Church (2012)
- The Rock Won’t Move (2013)
- Vertical EP (2013)
- White EP (2014)
- Church Songs (2015)
- Frontiers (2016)
- Vertical Worship (2017)
- Bright Faith Bold Future (2018)
- Planetarium EP (2018)
- Yes I Will – EP (2019)
- Yes I Will: Songs from Vertical Worship (2020)
- Grace Is On Our Side (2020)
Also, check out my reviews of Yes I Will, 1000 Tongues, Do What You Want To , Found in You, and Spirit of the Living God.
Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site! Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.
1. What message does the song communicate?
The song exalts God’s faithfulness. He was faithful in other situations, such as David slaying Goliath and Paul and Silas who were released from prison. It is faith that can move mountains, throwing them into the sea. If God was faithful then, then He will be faithful to us.
I have two issues with this song:
- I’m not sure if Vertical Worship is talking about salvation specifically or circumstances.
- If they are talking about circumstances, then it’s possible that, despite faith, that God’s plan for them is to continue to endure. One way to mitigate this is something like Daniel 3:18, that even if God doesn’t respond, we will praise Him. Christ is faithful to keep His promises, but it’s helpful to tell others that He answers prayers on His timing, not ours.
Score: 7/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
While much of the phraseology of this song comes from the Bible, Verse 1 is ambiguous.
Lyrics posted with permission.*
[Verse 1]
I am holding on to faith
‘Cause I know You’ll make a way
I don’t always understand, I don’t always get to see
But I will believe it, I will believe it
This is unclear. Make a way for what? For God to rescue them from their predicament? Perhaps God will allow that thing to continue to better them instead of rescuing (Romans 5:3-5, Hebrews 12:4-11, and James 1:2-4).
[Chorus]
You make mountains move
As stated in Matthew 17:20, Matthew 21:21, and Mark 11:23, faith can make mountains fall into the sea.
You make giants fall
An oft-used phrase based on David slaying Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:1-51.
You use songs of praise
To shake prison walls
Paul and Silas praised and worshipped and an earthquake followed (Acts 16:25-26).
I will speak to my fear, I will preach to my doubt
You were faithful then, You’ll be faithful now
Vertical Worship responds to their fears and doubts by clinging onto God’s faithfulness (Numbers 23:19, Deuteronomy 7:9, Psalm 33:4, Psalm 91:4, Psalms 119:90, Lamentations 3:22-23, 1 Corinthians 1:9, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, 2 Timothy 2:13, Hebrews 10:23, 2 Peter 3:9, and 1 John 1:9). However, this does nothing to resolve their unclarity in Verses 1 and 2.
[Turnaround]
You’re forever faithful, Lord!
See Scripture on Chorus, lines 5 and 6.
And I trust You, Jesus
Vertical Worship puts their faith in Christ.
[Verse 2]
I am standing on Your word
Calling heaven down to earth
You will fight enemies this will end in victory
I will believe it, I will believe it
This is just as unclear as Verse 1.
[Tag]
You were faithful then, You’ll be faithful now
Repeats Chorus, line 6.
[Bridge]
I know that I know
You never fail
That is, God always keeps His promises (Numbers 23:19, Joshua 21:45, Joshua 23:14, 1 Kings 8:56, Romans 4:21, 2 Corinthians 1:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:24, Hebrews 10:23, and 2 Peter 3:9).
I know that I know
You never will
Essentially repeats lines 1 and 2.
I know that I know
You never fail
I know that I know
You never will
Repeats lines 1-4.
[Outro]
You were faithful then, You’ll be faithful now
Repeats Chorus, line 6.
Score: 7/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
Unbelievers will likely get the wrong idea about God’s faithfulness, that God is a cosmic slot machine that will always say “yes” to us. Some of them have tried this, realizing that this sentiment is false, leading many away from Christ.
Despite this, they will know it’s Christian given that it explicitly mentions Jesus and faith in Him.
Score: 5/10
4. What does this song glorify?
Speaking to Christ’s loyalty is commendable, and Vertical Worship’s central message of faithfulness glorifies God, though affected by Verse 1’s unclear scope and fails to consider the possibility of God saying “no” to their prayers.
Score: 7/10
Closing Comments
Vertical Worship’s Faithful Now is decent, but not flawless. While exalting God’s faithfulness is great, it could do a better job explaining Verse 1, whether Vertical Worship meant circumstances or rescue from the consequences of sin. If the former, it doesn’t account for the possibility that God may choose to forego rescue, helping us to endure and improving our character for doing so.
I understand that some people who hear this song will have stories about how God used this song to speak to them. Praise God! I am happy for you. That doesn’t mean that this song is without problems.
I cannot recommend it for corporate worship.
Final Score: 6.5/10
Artist Info
Track: Faithful Now (listen to the song)
Artist: Vertical Worship
Album: Grace Is On Our Side
Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)
Release Year: 2020
Duration: 3:55
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
*Copyright © 2020 Every Square Inch (SESAC) Capitol CMG Amplifier (SESAC) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com), All Essential Music (ASCAP) Jingram Music Publishing (ASCAP) HBC Worship Music (ASCAP) Upside Down Under (BMI) Be Essential Songs (BMI) Hickory Bill Doc (SESAC) So Essential Tunes (SESAC) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Updates:
10/24/2022 – After reading Josh D’s comment on Believe For It, I re-examined this review based on other reviews and my current thinking. This led to several changes in all sections. I raised this song’s overall score from 4/10 to 6.5/10.
06/03/2021 – I scored section 2 incorrectly. Thank you Collin Garner for catching my error! I increased section 2’s rating. This raised the song’s overall score, from 3/10 to 4/10.
Comments
Noah
I think that if you are to look at this critically I think that there can be a feeling of ambiguous nature over the verses at first glance, but after looking at it more critically over time I think that this has more biblical overtones than what was stated in the overall evaluation. I know this song lacks some depth in the language of the song, but I think that is intentional. I think the clarity and focus isn’t on the situation itself, it is the faithfulness of God and is a call to worship in the simplest way possible. I listen to this song and I think of Psalm 34 where David in the midst of his situation calls the people to worship God for who he is and calls to his faithfulness. How do we answer the unknown situations and trials of this life? We stand upon the Word of God and his faithfulness knowing that his covenantal love will not fail and he never will. I’m especially drawn to the line “I will speak to my fear, I will preach to my doubt.” In the end isn’t that why we sing? To remind ourselves and ingrain the Word of God in our hearts through singing? (Colossians 3:16)
In conclusion I think that this song is a call to worship and join together. It may not have the flashiest lines or highest level of poetry, but I think it does lead people to join together and remind why they sing. I’m not necessarily saying that this song deserves a higher score, but I do want to bring this into the conversation as I think it is an important consideration.
Brian
I’d suggest we consider verse 1, line 3 in light of Romans 8:28. I don’t understand everything that happens in my life and I don’t always get to see how God uses those things for my good and the good of others. But I must believe that God is good, and because he is good, his word is true.
Vince Wright
Brian,
Thank you for your comment!
In light of a previous comment by Steve Barhydt made on my song The Blessing (see bottom of https://www.thebereantest.com/elevation-worship-feat-cody-carnes-kari-jobe-the-blessing), I’m re-examining songs that I considered to be “Word of Faith”. It’s been a slow process, but eventually, I’ll get to this song! I was overly harsh on my rating, so expect a major bump up in the future.
-Vince Wright
Clint
In short, though I agree with some of your main points I would say that there are some positive takeaways as well. The use of Biblical Context although light is something that isn’t seen in many of the Word of Faith resources being put out. I am in complete agreement that we should watch out for this in the world of worship music, just don’t see this one on the level of many other ‘pep-rally’ songs.
Maik Lankau
Great music – I tend to rewrite some of the lyrics when I lead my church in worship.
Collin Garner
I believe this song was scored way too low. There were way more biblical points for the song than against it (only one was given and even that it didn’t speak directly against it). I understand that this song has some “Word Of Faith” vibes and may not sound good to those who may believe in God but have bad experiences because of the heartache that’s been brought upon them in the past but this song can really serve to those who really don’t believe in a God. I just think the score was a little too low for the argument against singing it within churches. One shouldn’t let the one negative take away from the potential massive benefits of the song. Thank you for what you do though!
Vince Wright
Collin,
Great catch! Section 2 shouldn’t be this low. I rescored it.
-Vince Wright
Jaime Finch
This is actually one of my favorite worship songs. Please stop saying we can’t sing it. I sing it all the time in personal worship time and my church sings it sometimes, so it’s FINE!!!!
Vince Wright
Jaime,
Thank you for your comments!
I have a question. Where did I say “we can’t sing it” in this review? My recommendation (or lack thereof) for corporate worship is just that. By all means, listen to it if you want! I said as much in my evaluation criteria page:
“On the other hand, a low score does not necessarily mean that we should stop listening to a song. For example, a song may have high marks for its biblical accuracy, but a low score on outsider. This would be a great song to hear personally, but perhaps not one to share outside of Christian circles. Also, God can use anything, despite my own views and opinions on any song.”
-Vince Wright
Steven Jack
No offense, but “my church sings it” is not a sound reason for why a song is good. He’s using the Bible as a reference for this song. If God’s Word doesn’t support the song, then it doesn’t hold up, regardless of how you feel