Father,
You are holy, perfect, and just. You did not tolerate Israel’s bold infidelity. You demanded zeal for your name and your chosen people to act in holiness. Lord, I know that You do not change, nor does your Truth. You still demand zeal for your name and for your glory. You still command your children to walk in holiness. I confess that I easily justify or rationalize sin in my own life and in the culture around me. Please forgive me, and please help my actions to reflect that I live in this world but I’m not of it.
As I read about the census and clans in Israel, I was struck by how intimate you are. You knew each family and all their individuals. The same is true for my family. You know where I came from and who the future generations will be. You know the cycles in my family that I need to overcome and the strengths that I should build on. Thank you for being a God who knows every detail of my life. Thank you for caring about my family even more than I do. Please help me to bring my family closer to You through my actions and conversations. Amen.