“You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.”

Psalm 45:2

I woke up in the middle of the night last night.

Starlight lingering outside the window. 2 dreams from the Lord highlighting 2 men: one older and one younger. A dichotomy of how God sees His sons. Godly manhood & ungodly manhood.

I hear the Lord wanting to speak affirmation and worth over the men who aptly display His essense in the earth. His Kingship. His Valiance. His image. There’s a difference between a youth and a king… between a boy and a man.

There were 2 dreams…

In the first dream, I saw the older man. Kind. Notable. Powerful. Blessed by the Lord. He came giving and not taking. Serving, not seeking anything or himself. In the dream I was at my house and all the sudden an array of people came over, bringing a party from him. Gifts, food, cakes, decorations, music, and everything needed for a festive jubilation. Effortlessly. This man was generous and had given much. The head of his company. Always ensuring everything is taken care of to see them thrive.  

He represents the King. Lavish and kind. Genuine in every way. Faithful. Humble. Regal. He made sure everything around the party was taken care of by those who came in bringing it. Faithfully serving. So he is gladly given all affirmation and honor. Then I began to speak to one of the ladies whom I knew. I complimented the man and little did I know he overheard.

When I I turned around and saw him, his face lit up. The affirmation meant something to him.

I’m reminded that genuine compliments go a long way to encourage the people in our lives. Speak the good that you see in others and they will radiate… a kind word is like gold.

In the 2nd dream, I saw a young man. In the dream he came into my school classroom and walked up to the front, standing by my desk. His words were charming at first. He told us he needed help with his car, so I offered to help and paused what I was doing. As we went outside, he left and ran off taking something. Then twisted his ankle. He drove off but his car was not in need of help, it was in perfect condition. His story was a lie. He left once he took from me what he wanted. He symbolizes deceit and trickery. Immaturity. Therefore, he is not given any honor. He had nothing to offer. Nor did he stay around long enough to receive.

I woke up.

God said… “Don’t bend over backwards for anyone else but me.” More about that later on in the post.

Over the years, I’ve simply learned to stay away from these kinds of boys represented in the second dream.

Both dreams highlight this dichotomy of older men and young men. Godly manhood and ungodly manhood. Boyhood and manhood. And the value in men who have spent their lives giving of themselves just as Jesus does.

The older man honors the Lord with His life and so He is the true king. The true handsome son. 

The younger one dishonors the Lord and dishonored me in the dream. So he is not called a king nor called the handsome son.

Handsomeness comes from godliness. Not age.

Maturity comes from God. Not age.

A king is the most handsome man you can glimpse because He shines Jesus all over him.

A king imparts maturity and spiritual wisdom and He is worthy of leading. Thus, God chooses Him for that role.

Ladies, guard your heart from boys who have not proved they desire to seek Jesus with their whole heart nor want to grow into the best version of themselves.

Godly men are men because they have made the sacrifice to lay down their lives in pursuit of Jesus first and then secondly in commitment to lead those given to them.

In the first dream, the older man has a heart of surrender and vulnerability before the Lord to follow God and reflect Him. And I can’t stop thinking about it. Because it was pure and beautiful. But the younger man has a manipulative heart of dishonor and pride towards God and an unwillingness to do things His way. It’s unattractive. The older man knows the Lord and doesn’t have to say a word for you to see it… it shines all over him.

So the older man is blessed.

He is the king.

When I woke up, the Lord spoke 2 passages to my heart relating to each dream.

The 1st passage relating to the young man was from Genesis where Jacob tricks his father into his giving him Esau’s birthright. In my 2nd dream, Jacob and the young man were both taking instead of giving. Manipulating instead of trusting God.

Jacob was the younger son of Isaac. He lived a life deceiving others in order to get what he wanted. And because of it, he lived in fear for his life from Esau. Until he encounters God. And God teaches him that blessing is meant to come through sacrifice, not coercion. So God breaks his hip socket in a wrestling match.

When you take what you want from someone else, you end up losing something of yourself.

The young man in my dream twisted his ankle.

Jacob broke his hip.

The fractured ailment is just a symptom of their fractured hearts. But God wants to heal…

It wasn’t until Jacob said, “I will not let you go… until You bless me,” (Genesis 32:26) that the Lord stopped and said “you have now prevailed” and God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, in order to mark a new identity.

A right of passage.

Manhood.

Jacob finally understood that blessing only comes from God alone.

Now Jacobs asks God directly to bless him instead of manipulating others to bless him.

Boys, you only become a man from striving with God. Seeking God. Sacrificing. Doing the work. Encountering Him face to face… asking Him alone to bless you.

Jacob finally understood that God’s blessing over him was the only blessing that mattered. Whereas before, he wanted his father’s blessing… and he wanted Laban’s blessing.

He was looking for a father’s approval.

This desire for approval was designed by God.

But it was never theirs to give to Jacob.

It was God’s to give to Jacob!

God longs to approve His sons… if you would come to Him and ask Him to bless you… He will. Go to God for your affirmation and then you will discover self-confidence that transcends you.

If you look first to others to give you affirmation in order to feel enough, you won’t find it enough to fill you. And you’ll always feel inadequate. Affirmation from others is meant to be a diamond on top, but not the foundation. Once you understand the Father of the whole universe calls you His beloved son… it doesn’t matter what anyone’s opinion of you is… no matter what age you are… you will feel enough.

Let God affirm you so He can be the one to bless you with what only He has access to. 

He wants to…

In my 2 dreams, I saw 2 men. But only 1 was truly a man.

Only one was blessed.

Only one was a king… handsome and radiant.

The younger one still had not found his identity in His maker, because he was still on the loose looking for it from whomever might give him instant gratification. He came to me to take, not to give nor honor nor get to know. Boys don’t know how to treasure a woman’s  heart. Men do.

In my dream of the older man of honor, who represents the king, he had found his identity in God. He was not impulsive nor rushed in any way. He was composed. Sure of himself. Patient. Confident. He treasured me and treated me with dignity, purity, honor and love. That is only the beginning of what makes him great.

When I woke up, the second passage I thought of is about the Parable of the Banquet feast that relates to the older man.

It’s the parable of the Great Banquet in Luke chapter 14:15-24. The master of the banquet throws a great feast and Jesus says to invite everyone who would come, don’t deny anyone an invitation. Yet many make excuses about why they cannot come. That’s the difference between the master who is the king, and all the other men who reject the invitation. They are too prideful to join in the party. They have lost confidence in who they are because they’ve sought approval outside of God and thus, succumbed to feeling less than. Saying you don’t need God repels Him from you. And strips you of your own worth, identity and security in Him. Takes away blessing and joy.

The younger man in my dream still didn’t think he needed God. He was more fixated on getting his provision from me and anyone else who would give it, rather than receiving the banquet feast the king tried to give him. If you reject God’s gifts, you reject His kingdom.

The master of the feast is the king.

And He is able to give a feast because he is the king. He has received lavish blessing from God. Now He is able to continually lavish blessing. And He never runs out… He is reliable. Steady. Stable. Integrous. Faithful. And admired by all who know him.

A king, a godly man, is worthy of a woman giving him all her love in covenant relationship.

A boy may charm initially but you’ll find he does not know what he is doing.

A king speaks genuinely and he does know what he is doing.

A boy cannot be trusted with the treasures of a woman’s love. That’s only something that can be proved by manhood, which God grants to him for seeking His face diligently.

King David wrote,

“Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me Your paths.
⁵ Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in You all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5

King David was called a man after God’s own heart. He sought the Lord so honestly and compellingly.

That’s what radiates a heart like a king.

Transparency before God.

Pure devotion and love.

Openness.

A hunger for more of the Lord… and that is what attracts. He waited upon the Lord day after day, pouring his heart out to God. Giving of himself day after day to lead his people.

Jesus is a man… a stunningly handsome man. Who walked the earth and anointed the dust He formed to bear His own image… manhood… womanhood… kingship… queenship. True kings reflect Jesus and all His allure. But a boy who neglects to see the One who formed him will stunt his growth and destiny… until he decides to surrender his heart.

Ladies, potential is not enough to start a relationship on. If you feel the urge to give it a go and help a boy grow… don’t. Nagging will only provoke the instability. You are not under any obligation to begin a relationship to help a boy become a man. That is God’s job. And it’s his job to seek the Lord for himself. 

The Bible says “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14

Godly men are confident in who they are, anchored in a heavenly identity. They know how to give and treasure. They are worthy.

That’s the difference between a boy and a man.

Between a youth and a king.

Boys, learn from the older men.

Their wisdom and prowess will be your forte if you let them mentor you.

“Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old.” Job 12:12

Godly men who seek the Lord are a wellspring of treasures for you to glean from. If you don’t have a godly father, God is so close to you and He wants to father you… ask him to give you a nurturing father mentor who can shepherd you into manhood. God is a good giver and I promise you He will answer that in His way if you ask him.

He won’t leave you lacking, especially when it comes to becoming all He designed you to be. God wants to see you blessed. Just like He did for Jacob. You are His son if you want Him to be Your Lord and Savior. And He prunes every son and daughter that belongs to Him, so that we may bear good fruit.

Seek Jesus… He is a man.

And He knows what He is doing.

Real men will too.

The beauty of a healthy man/woman relationship is that you don’t have to grow him into a man… he already is one. And you can enjoy who he is and inspire him to ascend even higher because of your love enflaming him.

In Song of Solomon, the bride dialogues with her man, constantly pouring out love and affection. Affirming him. Nurturing him. Loving him. She doesn’t have to reprimand him nor waste time rebuking because he is already a man. And he’s not just any man… he’s a king.

A King is wort doting on all day long.

Dote on Jesus…

Lavish him with your love…

Jesus is my lover and He meant for me to be. I like loving Him. And He likes loving me. He knows how to move me… thrill me… captivate me… enthrall me… speak tenderly to me and then take charge of me… and then enchant me all over again… He is my all-consuming love…

God is a King who knows how to love you… let Him be your desire.

Ignite the fire of passion for Him and let your heart discover all it was made for… in the arms of the One who loves to pull you close. With kisses of love.

When I woke up from these 2 dreams, God said to me…“Don’t bend over backwards for anyone else but Me.”

To “bend over backwards” is to go above and beyond… to express the most giving as elaborately and lavishly as possible. In dance, it’s a bridge movement where the back contorts backward and the eyes and face are fixed looking up. It’s beautiful and elegant. Requires both strength and delicacy. Focus.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.” Colossians 3:23

The King wants your gaze…

He wants your back bent to look upon Him…

as He bends lows to pick you up and lift you off of the ground…

dancing in love with You forever.

Jesus wants to captivate you with love.

Go above and beyond for God. Then, what you do for Him will endure eternally. God wants my whole heart. God wants my best. I lavish my love on Him… and He lavishes His love on me.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

In John 12 Mary bends her back only for Jesus… bending low to pour her oil on his feet.

Later at the cross she bends her back to bow before Him crucified… then she bows her back to wait for Him by the tombstone. Mary was constantly going above and beyond to be there for Jesus. Because she loved Him. She didn’t have to. She wanted to! And He loves her in return… bending His back to die for her and the sins of man.

Jesus is a King worthy of Mary’s alabaster jar of oil.

He’s worthy of mine…

Let Him be worthy of yours.

a King You are

both near and far

in every way

You’ve captured my heart

forever

 I’ll spill out my love

to You

forever

Psalm 45 says in verse 2 the King is “the most handsome of all the sons of men.” 

“Upon his lips grace is poured out…”

Every kiss is Heavenly… knowing deep places that no one can touch. Awakening firey passion that’s set apart for Him. Everything He says is like a sonnet flowing through the Heavens. And it’s true. Like a melody playing in the ears that never fades and beautifies the room.

The verse goes on to say… “God has blessed you forever.”

A king’s glory will never fade. No matter the age. No matter the days that pass. God beauty reigns in you as you reign for Him. A king’s heart is everlasting and his heart in you is ever enduring. A king is always stunning… always handsome… always appealing his bride to want more and more his love… to delight in the treasures He indwells within His grandeur.

That’s the difference between a boy and a man. A youth and a King.

The king is handsome forever…

The King is handsome forever. ❤️

 

“Lord, the king finds joy in Your strength.
How greatly he rejoices in Your victory!
² You have given him his heart’s desire
and have not denied the request of his lips.

For You meet him with rich blessings;
You place a crown of pure gold on his head.
⁴ He asked You for life, and You gave it to him—
length of days forever and ever.
⁷ For the king relies on the Lord;
through the faithful love of the Most High
he is not shaken.”

Psalm 21:1-4,7