Remember
Read: 1 Chronicles 16:12-17
We are terrible remember-ers! We remember when we remember, when it pops
into our minds. But the word translated
“remember” in this passage – zakar –
is more than a casual stroll down memory lane.
It means to intentionally think about and focus on something. In the
King James Version it is often translated “record” referring to taking the time and making the effort to think about it,
focus on it, and write it down, so it is remembered. Zakar involves effort, energy and persistency.
When we are told to remember something, zakar means we are to give it specific
and intentional attention. That means thinking about what we think about. It truly matters. Proverbs 23:7 states: “For as he thinks within himself, so he is.” It shapes who we are, and determines our
attitudes and actions. Our mindset lifts us up or
drags us down. (See Romans 8:5-8) One transforms; the other deforms – how we
live, believe, behave and feel about our selves, others and our situations. We
need to choose carefully what we remember - what we zakar.
In 1 Chronicles 16:12-17, there are three things we are to
intentionally think about: (1) the wonderful things that He has done – God
being God; (2) the judgments of His mouth – what He declares to be truth, right
and just; and (3) His everlasting covenant – the binding agreement that makes
us (you and God, me and God) US. Colossians
3:2 tells us to “set our mind on things
above, not on things of the earth.” All of these are UP.
By intentionally remembering, a radical change in
attitudes and actions can take place. Jeremiah demonstrates this in Lamentations 3:19-23. This is evident again in Psalm 77. Actually, this Psalm begins with “remembering God.” Unfortunately instead
of actually focusing on God, he compared God to his expectations and what he
thought God should be doing. Because of
his selective remembering, he was distressed and frustrated. Graciously God
took him through the process of changing his focus. Verse 4 says, God held his eyes open and made
him really look and think about God. When he compared the situation to whom God
truly is and all He has done, rather than God to the situation, the result was
worship. Remembering is the springboard of gratitude and praise.
It doesn’t have to be an about-face. See Psalm 20:7,8. The word translated “trust” is zakar.
Others might choose to intentionally focus on visible, measurable
resources, but from the get-go we can (and should) choose to intentionally
think about and focus on God. Remembering is specific! When our focus is on Him, He raises us up
mind, spirit and sometimes bodily. Through remembering the Holy Spirit pumps life
into our life.
Very few suffer from spiritual dementia, an inability to
remember. The problem is either
selective memory where the focus is on the wrong thing or failing to take the
time and make the needed effort to remember all God is and done. Remembering
is always a choice!
Making It Personal
Zakar is the discipline of remembering. What does being a
discipline imply to you?
How much effort do you put into remembering all God is and
has done for you?
In ancient Israel, remembering was a vital part of
worship. What role does remembering have in your own personal worship and
attitude of gratitude?
Intentional thinking leads to intentional attitudes and actions.
- How have you experienced this in regards to focusing on the negative,
difficult and disappointing?
- What are you to zakar
according to Philippians 4:8,9?
- Have you experience the result promised in verse 9?
- Do you need to make a radical change of focus and what you
intentionally think about?
What is truly your biggest hindrance to remembering?
- How can you resolve that?
- What do you think will be the result?
