The Gospel Of God's Promise Series

Paul Robeson was a famous American Negro singer back in the 30's and 40's. It was announced in

London that his great singer would broadcast a concert from Russia where he was then living. The

people of London filled the large concert hall to standing room only waiting to hear this broadcast.

It was to begin right at noon, but as that moment came and announcer came on the stage, and people

could tell by his face that he had bad news. "My friends," he said, "I have a very disappointing

announcement to make to you. You have gathered here to listen to the beautiful music of Mr. Paul

Robeson. But at the last moment word has come that the Russian authorities have decided not to

permit him to make this broadcast."

A murmur of disappointment echoed across the hall from these expectant listeners. They were

shocked by this announcement. But then the stage door opened and Paul Robeson himself walked

in. The announcer was just as puzzled as the people. But then the crowd burst forth with delighted

applause. Robeson explained in these words: "The Russian authorities refused to allow me to

broadcast, and, rather than disappoint this audience, I hired a plane at my own expense and flew to

London. I just landed at Croyden Field, got a taxi, and here I am. I never break a promise or

disappoint an audience if it is humanly possible to keep and engagement."

In the world of entertainment where the theme is, "The show must go on," I am sure there are

numerous stories of sacrifice and super-human efforts to see that promises are kept. Whatever the

motive, many have said with Robert Frost:

The woods are lonely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Samuel Johnson commended Duke William III back in 1777 by saying of him, "If, for instance,

he had promised you and acorn and none had grown that year in his woods, he would not have

contented himself with that excuse; he would have sent to Denmark for it." We know politicians are

notorious for breaking promises, but it is good to face the reality of the other side, and see that it is

also true that many have been famous for keeping promises. Emperor Charles V promised Martin

Luther safe conduct to his trial at Worms. His enemies tried to persuade the emperor that a promise

to a heretic does not need to be kept. He refused to buy this and said, "Whatever promise has been

made must be fulfilled."

The point of all this is that it can be established that even on a human level men can be faithful to

their promises. How much more will God be faithful to His promises? An elderly Christian was in

distress as he lay dying. He said to his pastor, "I have relied on God's promises all my life, but now

in the hour of death I can't remember a single one to comfort me." The pastor knowing that Satan

was trying to rob him of his faith said to him, "Do you think God will forget any of His promises

just because you do?" A smile came over his face and he said joyfully, "No, no He won't!" He fell

asleep in Jesus with peaceful assurance that God would keep all His promises.

One of Satan's most powerful weapons is to get Christians to doubt God's promises. One of the

most dramatic true stories I have ever read of spiritual warfare over the promises of God is that of

Roger Simons. He was hitching a ride home after he got out of the service. A big black Cadillac

finally stopped and he hopped in. The driver was Mr. Hanover, a business man from Chicago. They

talked about many things, and Roger felt the Holy Spirit urging him to witness. He resisted because

this man was obviously rich, sophisticated, and worldly, and could care less what Roger thought

about life and religion. But as they came closer to where he would be dropped off he felt the

impulse to witness so strongly that he could not remain silent. He began to share his faith and what

Christ had done for him, and to his surprise Mr. Hanover pulled off to the side of the road, and he

prayed to receive Christ as his Savior.

Roger was soon let out by his home, and Mr. Hanover gave him his card and told him to come

and see him if he ever came to Chicago. Roger had a lot of joy in being home and seeing his family,

but no joy was greater than that of being used to lead another into the kingdom of God. Roger

married and got into his own business. It was 5 years later when he had an occasion to go to