Love does not Parade

By Apostle Aje Pelser; Preached May 1999, Harvester Reformational Church, Cape Town. 2026

James 4:10, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.

Strong’s #5312 “hupsoo” meaning ‘height’. Verb to lift and raise. Speaks of spiritual privileges. Hupsoo refers to a city that is exalted. Did not Jesus call us a ‘city on a hill?’

Mat 5:14  “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Exalting self leads to a disgraceful fall. Humbling oneself causes divine exaltation in this and the next world.

“If you are humble, you don’t need to parade yourself, God will lift you up.”

1 Cor. 13:4 “Love does not parade itself.”

Contrasts between David and Goliath. 1 Samuel 17 – read the full account.

1. David humbled himself by exalting God. Goliath paraded himself and defying God and his armies.
2. Humility and Meekness. David had a shepherd’s heart in lowliness and meekness. Goliath had a champion’s pride and succumbed to hero worship and idolatry.
3. David’s substance was lessons learnt from keeping the Father’s sheep. John 21:16 – Jesus’ asked Peter to feed and tend His sheep to show his love for him, as Lord and as friend. David faced the lion and the bear before facing Goliath. Goliath’s substance was rooted in his status as a man of war from the time of his youth.
4. The Lord’s Name. David accessed divine technology for giant slaying: The Lord’s name. Declaring that the battle is the Lord’s. Goliath blasphemed that name and lost.
5. Use what you’ve got. David used a sling which speaks of momentum and consistent orbiting. 5 Smooth stones that speak of rough edges being smoothed over time, the shaping of character down the river of life. The shepherd’s bag that carries the 5 stones – reflecting the fivefold ministry gifts that Jesus gave the church fro every age, not just at the birth of the early church. Goliath, in turn, had old technology. His sword and spear focusing on his individual brilliance and gifts, could not match the personalized tools of David that were shaped and practiced for a different purpose.
6. Easy yoke. Saul’s armour was heavy and impressive, as was Goliath’s, but David could not move in another man’s armour. He had not tested the armour in battle and conflict. Parading an impressive outward appearance is also a heavy yoke. Discarding the expectations and praise of others for the leading of the Spirit with Jesus’ easy yoke and light burden is better for engaging in spiritual warfare.
7. David’s name means ‘beloved.’ David loved God and knew he was beloved of God. God later said of David: “I have found in David, a man after my own heart who will do all My will.” Acts 13:22 Goliath despised and blasphemed God and paid the price.
8. God raises the humble. David conquered in the name of the Lord and embarked on another journey towards becoming the king of Israel. Despite David’s troubles, God eventually lifted him up and blessed his descendants. David prepared wealth for Solomon to build the temple. Solomon was known for his wisdom and nations brought tribute to Israel. Jesus would come from David’s line too.

Summary

• Love does not parade itself, because if you humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, He will lift you up.
• David humbled himself by exalting God, while Goliath paraded himself and defied God and His armies.
• David’s shepherd’s heart was shaped in lowliness, meekness, and lessons learnt from keeping the Father’s sheep.
• David accessed divine technology for giant slaying through the Lord’s name, the sling, the smooth stones, and the shepherd’s bag.
• David conquered in the name of the Lord, and God eventually lifted him up and blessed his descendants through Solomon and Jesus.