Uncharted Waters

“I sought the LORD and He answered me, and rescued me from all my fears … This wretched man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him.”—Psalm 34:4–7 NASB

The Portuguese felt it was critical to find a water route to Asia. The problem was getting past Cape Bojador. Located on the western coast of Africa, the cape’s Arabic name means Father of Danger. Geographers labeled the waters beyond the cape as the Great Sea of Darkness.

The cliffs along its coast were said to contain a powerful lodestone that pulled out a ship’s metal rivets, sinking the vessel. There were stories that ships sailing by the cliffs would be struck with sheets of fire. It also was believed that water beyond the cape was boiling, and ships would be burned by the heat of the sun and water.

But Portugal’s Prince Henry the Navigator would not accept excuses. He commissioned a series of voyages to round Cape Bojador. The first fourteen voyages failed. Henry made a radical decision, picking a man with no sailing experience to lead the fifteenth voyage. The man was Gil Eanes, a trusted aide.

Eanes’s first voyage failed. Henry ordered him to try again and do whatever was necessary. As they approached the cape, Eanes had to convince the crew to sail on. As they persevered, they discovered that the rumors were not true. The waters were calm.

Fear can have a crippling impact on our lives. But David discovered that God could deliver him from fear and save him “out of all his troubles.”

God can deliver you from every fear. In every situation, turn to Him, and trust Him.

Reflection Question: Are you facing a situation with fear currently?