Deluxe Single Review: “The Promise” by William McDowell

Imagine for a moment that your entire spiritual life could be renewed, as if a breath of fresh air could sweep through your heart, bubbling to the surface. It’s like you’ve woken up from a deep nap, feeling refreshed, excited, invigorated. That’s the feeling of revival William McDowell communicates in his deluxe single, The Promise.

The Promise is a Gospel-infused song sharing McDowell’s passionate life message of repentance and revival. The Promise features Nicole Binion and Dunsin Oyekan and a distinct exhortation by McDowell, introducing the title track.

MUSIC AND PRODUCTION

The Promise isn’t your standard live worship song. This almost 30-minute deluxe single is quite a commitment to listen to, but one that is worthwhile if you let it penetrate into those dusty, stale parts of your spiritual life.

The deluxe single starts with an unusual track for a single; it is an exhortation from William himself. He takes a dive into Scripture, pointing out Old Testament narratives of rebellion and punishment. Repentance and forgiveness. Acceptance and love. The exhortation is backed by musical punctuation and enthusiastic congregational participation.

In the second track of The Promise, Nicole’s voice opens up the song, resounding angelically over top of a rich gospel band and delicately winding piano keys. The song builds in moment as it reflects on God’s healing and forgiveness.

The third track on this deluxe single is a spontaneous reprise. It is everything you would expect as a reprise – excitement, improvisation, and a whole lot of energy repeating: Jesus is glorified – the devil is terrified! You can feel the joy and energy of the crowd as they are swept up in this incredible moment of revival.

TRUTH

William McDowell makes a bold claim: repentance comes with a promise. He uses Chronicles 7:14 to say God may use famine, rain, and pestilence to get people’s attention. But once they return to God, he will forgive their sins and heal their land. He says the shaking is an invitation to return to God, and the promise is revival.

McDowell gets an A plus for passion and fervor and for his desire to have people turn to God. There is no question that his music and exhortation have helped inspire people to seek God and be revived in their spiritual lives. You cannot miss the zeal and passion that McDowell and his fellow musicians pour into every note and phrase.

But McDowell uses Old Testament theology to shake us into a fresh relationship with God when perhaps we ought focus on the New Testament story of love and grace. Jesus has already forgiven our sins- it doesn’t need to be done again. Instead, maybe we should look at Hebrews 11:6– God rewards those who earnestly seek him.

This isn’t a condemnation of McDowell’s theology but rather an invitation to enter into the music of The Promise and let it inspire you to hunger after God. Seek God, and he will reward you, which is exactly what McDowell is getting after. When you seek after God, he will reward you with more of himself. And it is the Holy Spirit’s infusion that brings renewing and revival to our stale hearts.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Don’t let this short album become a ‘you had to be there’ moment. Instead, allow McDowell’s message of turning to God, his passion and hunger for God, and his energy-filled gospel music to move you to seek God for yourself. You won’t be disappointed with his answer.

MORE

This deluxe single is rife with passion and enthusiasm for God to renew his people; you cannot miss the hunger and hope for revival contained in every note. We need more of this energy in our daily lives to help us seek God more urgently.

LESS

Be careful about dwelling on a punishing God; instead, when singing this song, focus on the loving God who has forgiven our sins and always responds when we seek him. The promise is true; when you turn to God, you will be rewarded and renewed.