He Is Our Hope - Beverly Hill McKinney

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and steadfast…" Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)

Have you ever been in a completely hopeless situation?

On a quiet, sunny fall day leaving a National Park, we were flagged down by a passing motorist instructing us to slow down. Slowing to a near crawl, we approached a small fawn that had been hit and was sitting in the middle of the roadway. The mother doe paced by the side of the road waiting for us to pass.

We waited to see what the doe would do. Driving past the doe, I looked into her eyes. I saw a mixture of hopelessness and despair for her baby. After we passed, she sprinted to her fallen fawn. I felt hopeless.

I wonder if that is how God felt as He looked at His creation and saw the sin that plagued it. Although He cleansed the earth by a great flood in Noah’s day, once again the world filled with sin. Man seemed destined to be lost forever.

God gave hope to mankind. He sent his son to be born of man. The Bible tells us all Heaven rejoiced with the proclamation from the Heavenly host. Good news spread first to the lowly shepherds in the hills and then throughout the earth. Wise men who had been watching the stars were drawn to the baby. A one time encounter was all it took to renew hope on the earth.

“And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom.” Christ began His ministry, calling a small band of disciples whose lives were changed by His teaching. When Christ died, they felt hopeless. But, with the coming Resurrection morning, their hope was restored. Simple men, full of love for their Savior, proceeded to proclaim His word throughout the world.

When we face hopeless situations, we can remember that He gives hope to all who are willing to call on His name and acknowledge Him as their personal Emmanuel, “God with us.”



Beverly Hill McKinney, who served with her husband in the ministry for seventeen years, is the author of over seventy inspirational articles, five anthologies, church skits, curriculum, two self-published books, and is a graduate of Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer’s Guild.
Read Beverly's devotions.

What Are You Chosen For? - Beverly Hill McKinney

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us…" Romans 12:6 (NIV)

I pulled my car to a stop by the nearby horse farm. I loved coming here to watch the horses as they frolicked in the meadow.

Leaning on the fence, I saw two small “colts.” I realized one was a colt and the other a baby mule. The colt was beautiful, sleek and trim. Its long, slim legs and a shiny chestnut coat seemed to gleam in the sun.

The baby mule was stocky, its coat rumpled. His legs were heavier and his body larger than the colt. He seemed out of place among the other animals.

Looking at these two lovely creatures, I thought how striking the colt was compared to the mule. The colt could run fast on its thin legs and would be admired. It occurred to me, although beautiful, the colt could not carry heavy loads or endure the elements that the young mule could. The mule had the stamina to carry heavy packs on his back and balance easily on rough terrain. However, the mule could not run fast and win races like the colt.

When Christ chose his disciples, He picked those who could endure hardship and who had the necessary stamina for the rugged life they’d encounter. Many were fishermen who had endured the rigors of physical labor. Each brought his distinct personality to the tasks necessary to be a follower of Christ.

I remembered sermons about each person being unique in God’s eyes and being given the talents they needed for the tasks God gave them, just as He’d created the colt and mule for different tasks.

As I watched the animals, I thought of times in my own life God had called on me to accomplish something I felt I could not do. But He never failed to give me the talents to finish the job.

I thanked God for reassuring me that, whatever task He gives me, He would provide the necessary skills to accomplish the work. I learned not to judge others, as each person is given special talents for what the Lord calls them to do. What are you chosen for? Search your talents and let God use you.



Beverly Hill McKinney, who served with her husband in the ministry for seventeen years, is the author of over seventy inspirational articles, five anthologies, church skits, curriculum and two self-published books. She is a graduate of Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer’s Guild. Read Beverly's devotions.