There are times when life seems to cave-in on us, and it doesn’t seem to go your way. And it seems like one minute you had a mountaintop experience until you end up in the valley of trouble. Then, you your back is against the wall, and it seem like there’s no one or no way to turn then it seems like it’s too late it’s too back to turn back now.
There were many people who I am sure that felt that way as well.
ILLUSTRATION: On June 23, 1940, a premature baby girl was born to Blanche and Ed Rudolph. They named the girl Wilma. During her childhood days, Wilma suffered from double pneumonia and scarlet fever. At the age of four, she contracted infantile paralysis caused by the poliovirus and had to wear a brace on her left leg. With the help of physical therapy and a huge determination, she overcame her disability.
At the age of seven, she began attending Cobb Elementary School in Clarksville where she played basketball. Soon she started gaining acclaim for her running abilities. Under the training of Tennessee State University track coach Ed Temple, she qualified for the 1956 Summer Olympic Games and won a bronze medal in the 400-meter relay.
After finishing high school, Wilma enrolled at Tennessee State University and began training for the next Olympics. During the 1960 Olympics, she won three golds in the 100-meter individual, 200-meter individual, and 4 x 100-meter relay respectively and became the first American woman to win three golds in a single Olympics.
It did seem like the odds was against Wilma but in spite of everything and all that has happened in her. No matter the fact that she had to wear a leg brace, the odds for her was greater than the odds against her. Instead of giving up or giving out she found her equalizer.
An equalizer is when they help someone else who’s back against the wall and did all they could to solve that problem and that’s when an equalizer comes in; more of a guardian angel who is there to help another person.
The next time when the odds seem to be against you, just remember these things:
HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD. Be confident that God has your best interest and very much a helper in time of need. In Paul's letter to the Hebrews 13:6 he tells us, "So we can confidently say the Lord is my helper. I will not fear; what can do to me”.
GOD IS HOLDING YOUR HAND. Just like taking the hand of your child getting ready to cross a busy street or intersection, God will hold your hand. Isaiah 41:13 says to us, “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is to say I who say to you fear not, I am the one who helps you”. Will you let Him hold your hand?
CALL ON HIM. Whenever the tough get tough and tough gets going, it’s alright to call on God. He’s never ever too busy and he’s not that far away enough for you to call you. Lamentations 3:55-57 let us know that “I called on your name, O Lord, from the depts of my pit; you heard my plea I do not close your ears to my cry for help. You came when I called on you; you said do not fear.” No matter what’s going on, don’t be afraid to call on God.
GOD WILL NOT LEAVE YOU. There will be times you may think after something terrible happens that someone has left you high and dry, but I am here to tell you what Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you”.
YOU ARE NOT A SLAVE TO FEAR. In the movie Rocky V, Rocky was giving another fighter Tommy Gunn some advice and he was talking about fear and what fear is like inside the ring. He said, “fear is a fighter’s best friend. You know but it ain’t nothing to be ashamed of. See, fear keeps you awake, you know, it makes you want to survive. You know what I mean? But the thing is, you gotta learn to control it all right? Cause fear is like this fire, all right? And it’s burning deep inside.” Romans 8:15, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, but whom we cry, Abba father.”
YES, YOU’VE BEEN REDEEMED. You have been purchased or ransomed by the Blood of Christ that was shed for our sins, you’ve been justified and that’s the Good News. Isaiah 43: 1 tells us that “But now thus says the lord he who created you, O Jacob, he was formed you, O Israel: fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are mine.” Then finally...
YOU ARE NOT ALONE. There have been times when I feel down or sad, there are times I feel like I am alone. Yes, my dear and lovely wife Vanessa is with me day in and day out and even in times when my midnights seem dark and yes feeling alone. But I am reminded from Joshua 1:9 as an assurance “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be dismayed, for the lord your God is with you whatever you go”. You are not alone because God is with us.
Let me talk to the ones under the sound of my voice who needs an equalizer. Someone who will help you and be a defender of those who are the underdog in need of defending.
Jesus will be your champion. Jesus is your defender. Jesus is your equalizer.
And so, if you got a problem. When it seems like that the odds are against you then call The Equalizer—Jesus Christ your Savior and your redeemer.
There’s a lady that was the wife of my late pastor we called her “Mama Dot”, use to quote Philippians 4:13 which reads, “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me” and put emphasis to it to let us know that with His help, He will strengthen you when you’re feeling rough.
Jesus Christ is the GREAT EQUALIZER because he went to Calvary to die for you and for me.
Here is what you have to do:
Recognize that you are a sinner. (Romans 3:10, 23) “There is no one righteous, not even one… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
Recognize that Jesus died on the cross for you. (1 Peter 3:18) “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.”
Repent of your sins. (Acts 3:19 NIV) “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord”
Receive Jesus as you Savior. (Romans 10:9-10) “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Let us pray.
