Good Pasture: Finding Rest in the Presence of the Shepherd

“For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD.”
— Ezekiel 34:11–15 (NIV)

All through the Bible, God is described as a good shepherd. That word—shepherd—captures so much of His heart and character. A shepherd’s role is to tend to the sheep, provide for them, protect them, and ultimately bring them safely home. Farming methods may have changed since biblical times, but the heart of shepherding remains the same. And in many cultures today, shepherds still lead their sheep daily in search of pasture.

In Ezekiel 34, we hear God speak to His people using that same image. He promises to personally take on the role of shepherd—to seek out His scattered sheep, rescue them, and bring them back to a place of safety. A place of good pasture.

I imagine it like this: a shepherd walking under the heat of the afternoon sun, threading through rough mountainous terrain, calling his sheep by name as he gathers them from every direction. He leads them to a peaceful ravine where lush green grass grows, water flows gently from nearby rocks, and there's cool shade to protect them from the harsh sun. The sheep eat, drink, and nestle close to the shepherd, dozing off to the sound of running water.

That’s the picture God paints in verses 14 and 15:

“I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture... I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down.”

What an image—of a loving, attentive God caring deeply for His people. For those who call Him Lord, who seek His presence, who desire to live a life that honours Him—He desires to lead us into good pasture. And while that might sound like a physical place, God's good pasture is actually His presence.

Psalm 16:11 says,

“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Wherever the presence of God is, that’s where your good pasture is. That’s where you need to be.

And here’s the best part—we don’t have to travel somewhere special to find God. His presence is with us wherever we go. Psalm 33:14 reminds us:

“The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’”

So if God's presence is always with us, like a shepherd with his flock, then our part—as His sheep—is to stay close. Because every time we stray, we expose ourselves to the dangers of the wild, the uncertainty of provision, and the pain of loneliness. If we know that our good pasture is in God’s presence, why wouldn’t we stay there?

The truth is, we often unknowingly drift away. Life calls—work, home, school—and in dealing with all those demands, we lose sight of the Shepherd. We forget to turn to Him. Instead, we try to figure things out on our own, and that only leaves us burdened and spiritually dry. The glow of our connection to the Shepherd fades.

So what can we do to stay in the good pasture of God’s presence?

• Connect daily with your Shepherd through prayer and worship.

• Use visual reminders—a note on your desk, a verse on your mirror—to remind you that God is with you and you’re not doing life alone.

• Create space in your day—pause during lunch, step outside for a few minutes, open your Bible. Take a breath and reconnect.

• Bring your worries to God first, not last. Let His Spirit guide your steps as you navigate each day.

God is our Good Shepherd. He longs to care for us like His precious flock. Stay connected to Him through prayer. Let His presence fill your daily routines. And experience the blessings that flow from being close to Him—the good pasture—peace, joy, and rest that comes not from what you have, but from who you have:
The Good Shepherd.

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