Harriet: The Lord Shepherds to Freedom - Black Church (Psalm 23)

In the film Harriet, we witness a remarkable portrayal of Harriet Tubman, who, driven by what she describes as “the voice of God,” embarks on a treacherous journey through dark swamps and dense forests. Picture her, small yet fierce, navigating the tangled underbrush, every rustle of leaves a potential threat, every shadow a reminder of the dangers lurking in the night. She walks the very path of despair, yet she fears no evil—because she knows that the Lord, her Shepherd, is with her.

Imagine the enslaved people she guides, hearts pounding, breath hitching in their throats, clutching her hand as they slip quietly through the darkness. Tubman embodies the essence of Psalm 23, a psalm that has echoed through generations, from the slave quarters to freedom marches, each line a lifeline. For the Black Church, the Shepherd is not an abstract concept; He is the God who parted the Red Sea and led His people out of Egypt, a God who walks beside them through every wilderness.

The rod and staff—symbols of authority and protection—bring comfort to Harriet and those she rescues. Each step she takes is not merely a physical journey to freedom but a profound act of faith, the rod of God’s promise striking down oppression and the staff guiding them safely through the valley of shadows. Harriet’s unwavering courage reminds us that, even in our darkest hours, the Lord shepherds us to freedom, actively fighting against the forces that seek to hold us captive. In this divine companionship, we find hope, resilience, and the promise of liberation that echoes through the ages.