Gentlemen: Be Still​

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by David G. Rose

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     On this Father’s Day 2026, it is good to honor those men who have taken care of their families. Some men run from responsibility. But the true man of God embraces their duties as husband and father and makes the hard decisions that will best benefit their families. 

     We live in busy times. One man that I call occasionally, has these words on his voicemail: “Sorry I missed your call. I’m gone somewhere, doing something. I’m busy. Please leave a message and I’ll eventually get back with you.” But he rarely gets back with me, he’s too busy.

     And that is the story of many men today. Too busy for friends. Too busy for family. Too busy for church. Too busy doing what?

In the Old Testament, the Sons of Korah were busy serving as the Levitical gatekeepers at the tabernacle of the Lord (1 Chronicles 9:19).

     While their exact job description is unavailable, through research we know that some of their responsibilities included guarding the entrances to the tabernacle, cleaning and protecting the vessels that were used in the sacraments and leading the congregation in worship through music and singing. 

     Sounds like they were busy men! They were also credited with writing songs that have been placed in the Book of Psalms. One of those songs is found in Psalm 46. Please take some time right now, and read all eleven verses, and then we will consider some powerful truths. 

     Psalm 46 exalts God as the refuge and strength of His children. Also, it acclaims God as being all powerful and able to remove the earth and to cast the mountains into the sea. God is seen as being able to cause wars to cease and to destroy the weapons that warriors use to make war.

     After the sons of Korah acclaimed the Lord in His power, glory, and willingness to help his people, the composers challenge busy people to be still and know that He is God. 

It is important that we pray and to be stirred into motion and activity. We need to be active in the work of the Lord. But there are times that we must be still and listen to God. There are times that we must be still and learn about God. And there are other times that we must be still and let God do His work. 

     And there are times when we must be still and let God solve our problems.  He can ease our aching hearts, He can soothe our fears, and He can make a way where there is no way. But sometimes, we must be still and stay out of His way.

     The hymnwriter Kathrina von Schlegel wrote: 
  Be still my soul! Your God does undertake
          To guide the future as He has the past;
  Your hope, your confidence, let nothing   

         shake.

      Psalm 46 is a cautionary teaching that sometimes, the busy men of God must stop, and let God be God. Too many things are beyond our grasp. But nothing is too hard for God. Let the Sons of Korah teach us to be still, and to wait on God.

     Next week: Our Shepherd
 

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