Harriet: Peace That Passes Understanding in the Wilderness - Black Church (Philippians 4:6-7)

In the stillness of a moonlit night, when darkness wrapped the world like a heavy cloak, Harriet Tubman emerged as a beacon of hope. She navigated the treacherous swamps of Maryland, her heart pounding not just from fear, but from an extraordinary peace that enveloped her like a warm blanket. Imagine the rustling of leaves, the croaking of frogs, and the distant howl of a wolf—all potential harbingers of danger. Yet, in that wilderness, Harriet tuned her heart to the divine whisper guiding her through the shadows. It was a peace that defied human understanding, a calm that defied the very logic of survival.

The Black Church understands this profound peace intimately. It rose from the ashes of oppression, rooted in the soil of suffering and nurtured by faith. Just as Harriet prayed fervently, her spirit lifted in the brush arbors where countless souls gathered to seek solace and strength, we too find our sanctuary in prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us that while anxiety may feel like a natural response to the chaos around us, God’s peace is something supernatural.

Picture the resilient marchers, their feet pounding the earth, hearts united in hope. Even in the face of lynching, with hatred trying to crush their spirits, they marched with a peace that guarded their hearts—a shalom that transcended circumstances. Like Harriet, we can harness this Spirit-given calm as we navigate our own wilderness, drawing on the enduring legacy of a faith that thrives in the face of adversity. In every prayer, every act of gratitude, we too can experience this peace—an unshakeable assurance that even in our darkest hours, we are never alone.