The Greatest Comeback Ever

As a huge sports fan, I just LOVE a good comeback. I can remember, as a kid, listening on the radio to the New York Knicks basketball games.
It was back when Kareem Abdul Jabbar was still known as Lew Alcindor and the Knicks were playing the Milwaukee Bucks. I can still remember that special night in November 1972 when I was 12 years old. I used to listen to all the Knick games on the radio and keep the scorebook for the games. Marv Albert had the call that night and the Knicks were getting killed. But I just kept believing for a miracle and with the Knicks down 19 points with about 5 minutes left in the game what has been called the greatest comeback in Madison Square Garden and with the New York Knicks was about to take place. I could feel it in my bones! It was just me, my scorebook, my transistor radio and 19,000 screaming fans embracing for one of the greatest games in the history of New York Knick basketball!!
Walt Frazier and Earl the Pearl Monroe sparked the comeback. Willis Reed shut down Jabber and every play was a nail biter. I was going CRAZY every time the Knicks scored or Frazier stole the ball. The Knicks won that game 87-86 as Jabbar threw up an air ball in the final second to the roar of 19,000 screaming fans and one 12 year old dedicated Knick fan who for one night found paradise as I was lost in the excitement!!
To me, that’s adrenaline! It look’s like someone is so far down or so far behind that they will never be able to rise above the adversity and come out on top again. Yet with the right focus, there is still hope of victory.

In those great stories like the comeback of the NY Knicks, and even the redemption of my own broken life, I find great hope in the focus that made me rise above and come out on top. No, it wasn’t my basketball career that was resurrected, even though it was my dream to fulfill that destiny. It was my heart and my soul; my very life, that was saved and set on the right track. And the focus for me was a Savior; the one who gave his life for me so that I could have victory in my life and spend an eternity with him.

Now that’s an exciting story for me. Talk about a comeback! I was so far gone in my life of sin that I thought I would never have a chance to be forgiven. But I was wrong. When Jesus’ love and grace picked me up and I was able to focus on him, I began to see hope for life and I began to run the good race for the prize that is ahead. I am victorious and you can be victorious also. Keep your eye on the goal – the Savior. He will turn your life around and we can all celebrate that victory!

Be Blessed and Encouraged

P.S. Be Sure to click on the title of this post "The Greatest Comeback Ever" to check out the comeback at MSG.


Bill Rieser