WORD OF THE WEEK -PROTECT 2-15-26

NEW SERIES:PROTECT

WORD OF THE WEEK - “PROTECT” 

DEFINITION: to keep someone or something safe from harm, danger, loss, or attack. It is the act of covering, guarding, defending, or preserving what is valuable.

Scriptures:Psalm 91 - “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Isaiah 54:17 - "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord”
2 Thessalonians 3:3 - “But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.”

Website:  www.wow-newton.com

Website: www.wow-newton.com
Email:  osnewton@wow-newton.com

Transcript

NEW SERIES:PROTECT

WORD OF THE WEEK - “PROTECT”

DEFINITION: to keep someone or something safe from harm, danger, loss, or attack. It is the act of covering, guarding, defending, or preserving what is valuable.
Scriptures:Psalm 91 - “1Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Isaiah 54:17 - "17No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord”
2 Thessalonians 3:3 - “But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.”


Every day we face headlines, conversations, and personal struggles that remind us how fragile life can feel. This series invites you into an honest conversation about fear, faith, and the protection God offers in uncertain times.
As I interact with people, one emotion seems to be ever-present — fear.Fear of financial failure.Fear of job loss.Fear of environmental contamination.Fear of war.Fear of domestic invasion — from social media manipulation to immigration enforcement.Fear of school and hospital closures.Fear of medical incompetence.Fear of religious and social collapse.Fear of our inability to protect ourselves from both the seen and unseen enemy.
From the 1940s through the 1970s, the United States became the world’s largest manufacturer and creditor. The USA became the premier economy of the world.  Its citizens benefited greatly from power that provided both real and perceived protection from domestic and international threats.
But today, the confidence society once had in America’s ability to protect its citizens is beginning to wane.  The political, social, and spiritual foundations that propelled this nation to its superior status are under attack.  Currently, we findOur physical and social infrastructure is in serious need of repair.Our nuclear arsenal is increasingly vulnerable.Our military struggles to recruit young men and women willing to serve.Our justice system and the rule of law are diminishing in their enforcement ability and credibility.Educational institutions and meaningful public dialogue are being replaced by artificial intelligence and algorithm-driven narratives.And the protection once supported by strong communities and neighborhoods is being undermined by prejudice, greed, suspicion, and isolation.
As a child, I remember the confidence we had in our public health programs. The Centers for Disease Control promoted trust in the systems designed to protect us, tackling everything—from childhood diseases to venereal diseases, from nutrition to healthy lifestyles. These initiatives eradicated smallpox and dramatically reduced death from many preventable illnesses.
But, today, the protection once provided by these programs and vaccines has devolved into suspicion and doubt — perpetuated, in part, by the very institutions that once built public trust.
During the last century, this nation amended its Constitution with laws designed to protect citizens from unfair treatment and discrimination in employment, housing, education, and personal life choices. These laws reflected the diverse and expanding humanity that the United States had become.
Yet today, new fears are emerging.We fear becoming a nation more afraid of its protective forces than of the dangers they were created to defend us from.We fear eroding our trust in the Constitution as our guiding framework of law, replacing it with systems not yet fully understood.
We fear losing the moral and spiritual values upon which we have long claimed this nation was founded — values meant to be upheld, cherished, and lived by.
This series on the word “protect” will strive to define, clarify, encourage, and offer hope to those who are being protected, even as we seek to protect others. Together, we will explore the role of God — our Creator and our Protector — and demonstrate that His protection remains the most secure foundation for humanity’s survival.
Your participation in this discussion is deeply valued as we confront this contagion of fear together. Let us commit to resisting disruption as the enemy seeks to establish a foothold in our spiritual community.
I pray that we remain ever mindful:
“God has not given us a spirit of fear,but of power, love, and a sound mind.”— 2 Timothy 1:7
Please send your comments, thoughts, and reflections to osnewton@wow-newton.com.
I look forward to engaging with you as we walk this journey together._________________________________