2026: Turbulent But Fruitful, Part 3
When praying about 2026, the Lord gave me Acts 27-28. Paul, experiencing persecution by the non-Messianic Jewish leaders, was brought 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).
As a result, 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 a typhoon level storm and the harsh winter season, the journey took 6 to 7 months, three of which were spent on the island of Melita, present-day Malta.
Though the journey was very difficult, God transformed the tumultuous ordeal into tremendous victories. And as I read and reread the passage I heard Holy Spirit say, “2026 will not be smooth sailing; it will, however, be victorious, fruitful sailing. Don’t be alarmed by the ‘storms’.”
In yesterday’s post, I mentioned the angelic visitation to Paul on the voyage, in which he was told the ship would be lost in the storm, but all the lives would be saved. He was also told that he would fulfill God’s plan of going to Rome. I’ll pick up there today.
Part 3
Early in the journey Paul received prophetic revelation, and warned the crew of the ship that a storm was coming; he added that they should not leave Crete (Acts 27:10, 21). They did not have to be shipwrecked in this storm! The crew disregarded his warning, however, and lost their ship. It is significant to me that God, in His mercy, saved not only the lives of Paul and his companions, but also all of those on board the ship. He could have orchestrated events to save Paul, Luke and Aristarchus, while allowing the crew to perish. But in spite of their disregard of His warnings, God showed great mercy and saved them, as well.
I can’t help but see the correlation to America. God has clearly sent many warnings to our nation through individuals and events, not to mention His clear commandments in Scripture. These warnings have been disregarded time after time, and the winds of adversity have certainly come with typhoon force. And yet, like the crew of Paul’s ship, many of those who ignored His warnings will be saved in the coming revival. God’s mercy is amazing.
The Island of Malta
The angel that visited Paul also informed him that through the shipwreck they would be “cast upon a certain island” (verse 26). It turned out to be Melita, now called Malta, and God had big plans for this small island. It is as though He was saying to this crew, as He did to Jonah regarding Ninevah, “You can go the hard way or you can go the easy way, but you ARE going to Melita!” The name means “honey,” and God was about to deliver them a sweet package.
Upon their arrival in Melita/Malta, the Islanders immediately showed kindness to these wet and bedraggled survivors of the shipwreck. They and those from the ship immediately began gathering wood to build a fire for warmth. When Paul did so he was bitten by a deadly viper (Acts 28:3). The villagers expected his hand to immediately swell up and for him to die. But Paul, full of faith in God’s promise, shook the serpent off into the fire and went about his business. The Islanders were of course amazed (verses 1-4). The Roman governor on the island, Publius, took Paul and his team to his home for lodging. There, Paul prayed for Publius’s father, and he was instantly healed of severe dysentery and high fever (verses 7-8).
Revival on! For 3 months!
Acts 28:9-10 tells us: “When the people of the island heard about this miracle, they brought all the sick to Paul, and they were also healed. The islanders honored us greatly, and when we were preparing to set sail again [3 months later], they gave us all the supplies we needed for our journey.” (TPT)
Publius and many on the island became strong believers; Malta became the first Christian nation in the west! Publius became a leader in the early church, and is venerated to this day by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. There are still streets named after him on the island today!(1)
The purposes of God in the life of the apostle Paul were accomplished in spite of the storm. He traveled on to Rome, where he “lived two more years, in his own rented quarters, welcoming all who came to visit. He continued to proclaim to all the truths of God’s kingdom realm, teaching them about the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, speaking triumphantly and without any restriction.” (Acts 28:30-31; TPT)
God demonstrated His ability to defeat storms and serpents - and to make honey. He will do so in our day. Yes, there will be “storms” in 2026, but there will be great victory and much fruit.
Prayer and Decree:
As our prayer and decree today we are declaring Psalm 107:24-43, from the Passion Translation, over the coming year:
“We were witnesses of God’s power out in the ocean deep; we saw breathtaking wonders upon the high seas. When God spoke He stirred up a storm, lifting high the waves with hurricane winds. Ships were tossed by the swelling sea, rising to the sky, then dropping down to the depths, reeling like drunkards, spinning like tops, everyone at their wits’ end until even sailors despaired of life, cringing in terror. Then we cried out, “Lord, help us! Rescue us!” And He did! God stilled the storm, calmed the waves, and He hushed the hurricane winds to only a whisper. We were so relieved, so glad as He guided us safely to harbor in a quiet haven. So lift your hands and give thanks to God for His marvelous kindness and for His miracles of mercy for those He loves! Let’s exalt Him on high and lift up our praises in public; let all the people and the leaders of the nation know how great and wonderful is Yahweh, our God! Whenever He chooses He can dry up a river and turn the land into a desert. Or He can take a fruitful land and make it into a saltwater swamp, all because of the wickedness of those who dwell there. But He also can turn a barren wilderness into an oasis with water! He can make springs flow into desert lands and turn them into fertile valleys so that cities spring up, and He gives it all to those who are hungry. They can plant their fields and vineyards there and reap a bumper crop and gather a fruitful harvest. God will bless them and cause them to multiply and prosper. But others will become poor, humbled because of their oppression, tyranny, and sorrows. For God pours contempt upon their arrogant abuse of power, heaping scorn upon their princes, and makes them wander among ruins. But He raises up the poor and lowly with His favor, giving them a safe place to live where no one can touch them. God will grant them a large family and bless them! The lovers of God will rejoice when they see this. Good men are glad when the evil ones are silenced. If you are truly wise, you’ll learn from what I’ve told you. It’s time for you to consider these profound lessons of God’s great love and mercy!”
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