January 6, 2026
- Dutch Sheets
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
2026: Turbulent But Fruitful, Part 2
In yesterday’s post, I mentioned that when praying regarding the coming year, 2026, the Lord led me to Acts 27 and 28. As I read and reread this passage, Holy Spirit said to me: “2026 will not be smooth sailing; it will, however, be victorious, fruitful sailing. Don’t be alarmed by the ‘storms’.”
Here is a brief summary of Acts chapters 27 and 28, and of the events leading up to them. Paul had been experiencing persecution by the non-Messianic Jewish leaders, who brought him before the Roman government, in hopes that they would execute him. During the trial, Paul, as a Roman citizen, appealed to Caesar (Acts 24-26).
Paul was sent to Rome by ship under the custody of a Roman centurion, accompanied by Luke and another disciple named Aristarchus. This was no small boat; in total, 276 people were aboard the ship. Due to fierce storms and the winter season, the journey took 6 to 7 months, three of which were spent on the island of Melita, present-day Malta.
No details are provided about the trial in Rome, although Paul was obviously not convicted. He stayed there for two years in a rented home:
“And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him” (Acts 28:30-31).
While there, Paul also wrote the epistles of Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians. (After leaving and conducting more missionary journeys, he was once again taken to Rome as a prisoner, and this time executed under the wicked ruler, Nero.) That is your history lesson for the day.
The Shipwreck
I want to focus first on the fierce storm that ultimately caused a shipwreck on Paul’s voyage to Rome. Acts 27:14 tells us it was a typhoon-force wind called a “Nor’easter.” The wind was so powerful that the sailors could no longer control the ship and had to allow the storm to carry it wherever the winds blew. They were driven by the storm for 14 days, with all hope of survival eventually lost (verse 20). At this point, Paul delivered a remarkable message to the crew and passengers:
“...Paul stepped before them all and said, ‘Men, you should have obeyed me and avoided all of this pain and suffering by not leaving Crete. [Paul had warned them prophetically of the storm, in verse 10, which they ignored.] Now listen to me. Don’t be depressed, for no one will perish—only the ship will be lost. For God’s angel visited me last night, the angel of my God, the God I passionately serve. He came and stood in front of me and said, “Don’t be afraid, Paul. You are destined to stand trial before Caesar. And because of God’s favor on you, he has given you the lives of everyone who is sailing with you.” So men, keep up your courage! I know that God will protect you, just as he told me he would. But we must run aground on some island to be saved.’” (Acts 27:21-26 TPT)
Several incredible and important facts can be seen in this statement:
The prisoner on the ship had become the pastor of the ship! Never underestimate the favor of the Lord.
God dispatched an angel to support and direct Paul, telling him not to be afraid. We can expect God’s supernatural help in the storms that occur.
The angel stated that the ship would be lost, but all on board would survive.
He also stated that this upcoming period of ministry in Rome was part of God’s destiny for Paul, including him standing before Caesar.
He added that it was because of God’s favor on Paul that the entire crew and passengers on the ship would be saved. (Who you travel with matters!)
Then the angel told Paul that before arriving in Rome, they would need to make a stop on a particular island. He did not give the name of the island.
Imagine the belief and trust in Paul’s ministry that must have taken place when this was all fulfilled! But there was more sovereign intervention to come, much more. They were, indeed, shipwrecked on the rocky coast of an island named Melita, now called Malta (Acts 28.1). The name Melita means “honey,”(1) and was God ever about to turn what looked like disaster into honey! But I’ll save that for tomorrow.
Today I want to make an application regarding 2026. The Lord said the year would be turbulent, but victorious. We can be certain that whatever transpires on our journey toward revival and reformation, God will not be caught off guard. He is Lord over the storm and can cause its power to be harnessed, becoming His - and our - servant. Without question, satan has some storms planned for our nation and the nations this year. And also without question, God has already planned how He will be victorious over them. He will show us His strategy, just as He did to Paul. Angels will be sent to help us, direct us, and protect us.
Rest assured that God has placed Donald Trump in office. His favor is on our President. In His mercy, the Lord has protected him from two assassination attempts, two phony impeachments, a corrupt election, savage lies by many in the media, and the most vicious and corrupt “lawfare” in the history of our nation. There has never been anything like it in America.
And yet, God has sustained President Trump and worked through all of this to further awaken him to his destiny, strengthen his resolve, and increase his wisdom. Trump has now become a sword in the hand of the Almighty. Don’t allow his brazenness and personality to distract you: God has raised up and empowered President Trump as a reformer!
And the Lord’s favor is on us, the Ekklesia, also. Storms will come this year, but we are called to rise above every storm and soar as eagles with our God (Isaiah 40:30-31). We are His instruments, just as Paul was and President Trump is. We will accomplish our destiny - as individuals and as a nation - releasing the authority of the Kingdom of God here and around the world. The church will not fail, because God is leading and empowering us. We’re part of the glorious church emerging throughout the Earth, and God will finish in us and through us what He has started.
Tomorrow, we will see the victories pictured by Malta.
Pray with me:
Father, thank You for Acts 27 and 28. What a glorious picture of Your overriding hand in history. You can cause all things to work together for our good (Romans 8:28). The passage pictures the church overcoming storms, accomplishing Your purposes, and securing our destinies. We will not fear the storms!
Cause Your people to be alert to Your instructions and encouragement during difficult times, and on all assignments. We expect and will receive angelic assistance, just as Paul and others in Scripture received. We expect favor and we expect that favor to overflow onto others with whom we are connected. We expect to overcome in every situation!
We pray for President Trump and his team, for leaders in Congress, and for local government leaders. Give them the fiery zeal of the Lord Jesus. Instill in them a hatred of evil and injustice. Give them increased passion to reform our nation back to righteousness and to Your purposes. Remove those who compromise and who have been overcome by a political spirit. Give us reformers.
And give us revival!
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Our decree:
We decree that though storms come and go, the purposes of God stand strong!
Click on the link below to watch the full video.
James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 3194.