It Starts Small

David begins by likening God to a shepherd who provides everything that his sheep need. He highlights God’s divine provision and care, giving a sense of tranquility and abundance.

God gives us a perfect and true peace. He leads us and invites us to rest in Him. Sheep are fearful, nervous and insecure animals, always concerned about being fed and protected. The primary role of any shepherd is to take his sheep to places where they can be nourished and satisfied. He must also provide security from dangers and threats so that his sheep can lie down and be at rest.

The Lord promised to be this kind of Shepherd:

¹⁴ I will tend them in good pasture, and their grazing place will be on Israel’s lofty mountains. There they will lie down in a good grazing place; they will feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. ¹⁵ I will tend my flock and let them lie down. This is the declaration of the Lord God.

Ezekiel 34:14-15

David writes that the Lord provides rest in green pastures and guides him to still waters. Shepherds in biblical times did not “drive” their sheep. Instead of pushing the herd from behind, they walked ahead of the flock, which followed. The land of Israel did not have plentiful, verdant pastureland except in the rainy season. Shepherds needed to guide their sheep to green pasture, otherwise the sheep would go hungry.

In our spiritual lives, we can find ourselves in the midst of a barren desert. We are famished and starved. Our spirit craves a word from the Lord, but we have gone astray and dinned on the potatoe chips of the world. NO matter how much we fill our lives with the world we end up hungry at the end of the day.

As a good shepherd, the Lord guided David to green pasture; that is, He provided well for David, giving him abundance, rest, and peace. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, provides all of this care for His followers.

²⁸ “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

He gives us rest.

³³ For the bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

John 6:33

¹⁰ A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

He gives abundance.

²⁷ “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.

John 14:27

He gives peace.

Just as a shepherd in Bible times knew his sheep by name, so our Good Shepherd knows us personally and calls us by name.

³ The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

John 10:3

We should be quick to heed His call and follow Him!

Something to ponder on:

How does God lead you to “green pastures.”