While imprisoned for smuggling Bibles in 1972, God promised David that he would be miraculously delivered – a promise confirmed through Psalm 68. Seeing the fulfillment of God’s promises in our lives requires both steadfast faith and prayer.
Reflecting on Psalm 68:6, King David writes: “God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound with chains.”
I exclaimed, “Lord, that is the exact verse!”
To me, this meant God would perform two distinct miracles: first, that He would bring me home in time for my birthday; and second, that He would have me home for Easter to minister at the Easter convention.
God did, in fact, release me on my birthday. The British Prime Minister had personally flown out to secure my release, and I sat right beside him on the flight home. When we touched down at Heathrow Airport, the arrival was met with massive media coverage – reporters, press, and television cameras everywhere. He made quite an occasion of it.
Shortly after landing, I received a call from church leaders: “We have witnessed the miracle of your release. Would you have the strength to speak at the Royal Albert Hall this Monday?” Naturally, I answered yes.
Literally to the exact day, God fulfilled both of those promises.
How David Hathaway’s 1972 Imprisonment Led to Miraculous Release
In 1972, British evangelist David Hathaway was arrested and sentenced to prison in Czechoslovakia for smuggling Bibles into the Eastern Bloc. While incarcerated, Hathaway identified a dual promise of deliverance based on Psalm 68:6: "God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound with chains."
Hathaway interpreted this scripture as two distinct promises:
Release by his birthday: Freedom from foreign captivity to reunite with his family.
Return in time for Easter: Physical presence in England to preach at the annual Easter ministry convention.
Both events occurred exactly as anticipated:
Diplomatic Release: Former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson personally flew to Prague to negotiate Hathaway's release. Hathaway was freed and flown back to London alongside Wilson on his birthday.
National Ministry Fulfillment: Upon arriving at Heathrow Airport amid widespread media coverage, church leaders invited Hathaway to preach. The following Monday, he ministered at the Royal Albert Hall Easter convention.