Note why Paul was able to maintain this humble stance because he always remembered where God had to go to save him. Many have speculated what the thorn in Paul's flesh was that he spoke of in 2Corinthians. Perhaps it was the visage of those Christians he had watched be slaughtered as he presided over their deaths. Paul's humility was firmly rooted in never forgetting where God found him. We need to keep in the forefront of our minds as well, how far down God had to go to save us.
We can also have prayer problem. We simply do not seek the face of God in everything that we do. We may seek Him when our backs are against the wall, or when we want something, but not consistently- day by day. We face decisions every day without seeking God. We can fall into the trap of thinking that we know better. Or we can listen to the wrong advice. We seek out our friends instead of God. After King Solomon died, Rehoboam was made king and was faced with an opportunity to unite all of Israel. Jeroboam said that if the heavy yoke of Solomon would be lessened, then all would serve Rehoboam. Two groups advised Rehoboam. The elders of his father had wise advice that would require humility:
They replied, "If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants." 1Kings 12: 7
Rehoboam did not like this servile idea and instead consulted with his friends who advised him to rebuke Jeroboam and threaten an even heavier burden. This would lead to the permanent split of the Jewish people into the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Rehoboam thought he knew better and sought the advice of man instead of God.
There are other Biblical examples of people who did seek God first. Joshua sought God and Jericho was delivered into his hands. Jehoshaphat sought God in fasting and prayer and the vast armies that we set against him slew each other instead. Just as humility is an inward focus, prayer is an upward focus. These are the directions God wants us focused in. These are what help us avoid the traps of the enemy. But we can get so caught up in the things of this world. We can get so distracted by what we think we need. Our prayer life can be reduced to a wish list or a whine list, with God acting the part of an ATM. When Jesus discussed this His instruction was very clear:
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6: 33
This is a verse about our focus. The things the world distracts us while God is saying that if we truly need them, He is aware of it and they will be added unto us. But first we must seek two things His kingdom and His righteousness. By seeking His righteousness, we remind ourselves that we have none without Him. It checks our pride and maintains our humility. By seeking His kingdom, we are keeping the focus on the things of God; not man. Is what we are pursuing of God? Does it hold eternal value? Does it enhance the kingdom or is it for temporal gain? The truth is that we often do not seek God in prayer consistently because we know we will not like the answer! God has three answers beloved. Yes, no and wait. In our microwave mentality yes seems to be the only answer we find acceptable. If we hear "wait", we think God has not heard us and if the answer is "no", we think God is wrong. The truth is that we do not know which way to go in this world. Nor should we because we are sojourners:
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 1Peter 2:11
We are supposed to be aliens in this world and strangers to it. But we can become too familiar with it. Walking blindly through it, without the help from God:
