Engrave Victory in Your Soul
Psalm 20:5
“We will shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests.”
In 1919, Professor John B. Watson, a behavioral psychologist at Johns Hopkins University, happened to observe a child who had an unusually strong fear of dogs. This sparked a scientific question in his mind:
“Is fear innate, or is it learned?”
To explore this question, Watson conducted a series of experiments on a nine-month-old baby at Johns Hopkins University. This experiment later became known as the “Little Albert Experiment,” which generated serious ethical controversy.
Watson applied to humans the principle of classical conditioning, first demonstrated by the Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov in his famous experiment known as “Pavlov’s Dogs.”
In the early 1900s, Pavlov discovered that if a bell was rung repeatedly whenever food was given to a dog, eventually the dog would begin to salivate at the sound of the bell alone—even when no food was presented.
This experiment demonstrated that the body can be trained to react to something unreal as if it were real.
Watson applied this principle to Little Albert.
Initially, Albert showed curiosity toward animals such as a white rat and did not exhibit any fear. However, whenever Albert touched or looked at the animal, Watson would suddenly create a loud noise by striking metal with a hammer behind him.
Albert became frightened. After repeated exposure, even when the loud noise was no longer made, Albert began to show fear whenever he saw anything with fur—animals, fur coats, cotton, and even people wearing furry masks.
This experiment demonstrated that emotions such as fear can be learned through external stimuli, supporting the behavioral psychology theory.
However, the experiment was deeply unethical because it intentionally instilled fear in a small child.
Tragically, the experiment ended without removing the conditioned fear. Albert later died at the age of six from hydrocephalus. Some believe the stress he experienced contributed to his illness. In this sense, Albert became a victim of scientific curiosity.
This tragic experiment teaches us something important:
When human beings develop excessive fear, they can no longer properly adapt to their environment or circumstances. Fear interferes with our ability to function and live fully.
That is why the Bible repeatedly tells us:
“Do not be afraid.”
Joshua 1:9
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.”
John 16:33
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
The reason we do not need to fear is simple:
God is with us.
This was also the reason Jesus overcame the world.
John 16:32
“I am not alone, for my Father is with me.”
Who can overcome the world?
It is the person who is not truly alone.
Even when alone, if we know that we are not truly alone, we are free from the domination of the world. When we know God is with us, we are no longer enslaved by fear.
Then we can adapt and overcome in any environment or circumstance.
David understood this truth. In Psalm 20, described as “a psalm for the director of music,” David sought to engrave victory into the souls of the people of Israel instead of fear.
He called them to raise the banner of Yahweh Nissi — “The Lord is My Banner.”
Psalm 20:5
“We will shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God.”
David continues:
“May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble… May He remember all your offerings.”
God remembers our worship and our prayers.
That is why the blessing follows:
“May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”
This message is meant to be spoken into our souls, engraving victory deep within us.
When the Word of God moves from Logos (the written Word) to Rhema (the living Word spoken to our souls), it comes with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer is like entering a wilderness—a spiritual battlefield.
But when we carry the weapon of God’s Word spoken into our souls, we can overcome the world and defeat every temptation.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Deliver us from our troubles.
Answer us when we call upon You.
When we stumble or fall,
lift us up again by the power of the cross.
Help us stand firm and upright
through the strength of Jesus Christ.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
