The Hebrew word “Zakar”

“I will zakar the deeds of the Lord.” The Hebrew word zakar is often translated "remember," that is, calling something to mind or not forgetting. Joseph has a dream about his brothers bowing down to him. And years later, when it actually happens, Joseph is said to “zakar his dream.” He is recalling something he'd forgotten. But zakar is often more than just remembering. Zakar is also focusing your attention on something in order to act. When God commands Israel to zakar the Sabbath, it's not because they might forget about what the Sabbath is. Zakar means keeping the meaning of the Sabbath at the forefront of your mind in order to keep the Sabbath. And in the story of Noah and the flood, when God "remembers" Noah and the animals, it's not that God had forgotten them. Rather, God's zakar is acting on a promise to save them. “God heard their groaning and God zakar his covenant with Abraham, Isaac,  and Jacob.”
 
 The Hebrew word Zakar (זכר) means to remember. But in the Bible, it’s far more than simply recalling information. To zakar is to bring something to mind with intent, to act on what is remembered, and to honor a covenant or commitment.

In a distracted world, zakar calls us to sacred attentiveness.
When we remember God, we realign with His story, His promises, His calling. To remember is to remain rooted in identity, in history, and in hope.

 Scripture is filled with commands to remember:

• “Remember the Sabbath” (Exodus 20:8)
• “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt” (Deuteronomy 5:15)
• “Remember the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 8:1  

When God remembers, He doesn’t just think. He acts.

• He remembers Noah in the ark (Genesis 8:1) and causes the waters to recede.
• He remembers His covenant with Abraham (Exodus 2:24) and begins Israel’s redemption from Egypt.
• He remembers barren women like Rachel and Hannah, and opens their wombs (Genesis 30:22; 1 Samuel 1:19).
• Even God's covenant rainbow is called a reminder, zakar (Genesis 9:16).
  
  What About You?
   
  Have you felt forgotten? Or maybe you’ve forgotten your own calling, worth, or story? Maybe this is your zakar moment. Your reminder that God remembers you.

We started our building program over three years ago, and it began with committees meeting and planning, but actual physical action also took place with the remodeling of the nursery and fellowship hall. I was reminded recently by a godly member of our congregation of three men, members of our fellowship, that were instrumental in both the planning stage and the action phase of this initial work. Bill Johnson, Junny Ivison, and Ralph Yeagar and all three of these godly men are in very serious health condition right now. We need to (zakar) remember these three men in our prayers. We need to ask God to (zakar) remember these three faithful servants of Him.