Barbarians at the gate or chariots of fire in the hills; what do you see?

My brother has cancer once again. He is tired; his wife is tired; but he plans to fight.

When we Christians live this life with its trials and tribulations, I ask, what do we see? Do we see the barbarians at the gate (cancer) or do we see the chariots of fire in the hills?

Second Kings 6 relates the story of a war between the King of Aram and the King of Israel. The prophet Elisha, through the power of the Holy Spirit knew everything the King of Aram was going to do. Elisha passed on his God-given insight to the King of Israel who benefited much from the revelations of the Prophet Elisha. King Aram figures out what’s going on and sends his army to capture the prophet Elisha.

Elisha is in the city of Dothan with his assistant. The assistant awakes early in the morning to see the Barbarians at the gate. The city is surrounded and they are looking for his boss, the Prophet Elisha. Concerned, the assistant says, what should we do? Elisha says in 2 Kings 6:16-18 "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, "Strike these people with blindness." So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.”

I ask you, what are you facing today? Who and what are the barbarians at your gate? Do not be afraid! Cancer, financial collapse, broken relationships…look to the hills, and by the power of God, see His angels, horses and chariots of fire. Remember, our battle is not with flesh and blood ("For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12)

Even though you feel weak, remember this, the weakest among us does not fight alone.
Do not focus on the barbarians at the gate. Look to the hills, look to heaven from whence your deliverance comes; your deliverance comes from the Lord.

Come quickly Lord Jesus, come. Oh Lord, open my eyes to see your horses and chariots of fire.