November 3, 2026

Now What?

Ruth L. Boling | Read Joshua 24:1-3, 14-25

(Image by: Pixabay)

Lectionary Week

November 2–8, 2026

Scripture Overview

On a “Now” clock, the word “now” is repeated around the perimeter where numbers would normally be. As the clock hands rotate throughout the day, the time is always “now.” Each passage this week emerges from a particular “now” moment in God’s story. In Joshua, the Israelites must choose whom they will serve. For the psalmist, the time has come to tell the story of God’s faithfulness in the past to encourage us in the present. Paul assuages the Thessalonians’ concerns and reminds them to encourage one another. Jesus’ parable teaches that his return will be unexpected, so we should always be ready. Like the hands on a “Now” clock, each passage points to the present moment, summoning us to mindful, wholehearted, unwaveringly joyful service to God and neighbor, now.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25. What gets more attention in churches today, belief or service?
Read Psalm 78:1-7. Try writing a psalm or prayer about God’s faithfulness to you despite your failures and shortcomings.
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Paul’s description of Christ’s return is meant to be encouraging. Do you find it so? Why or why not?
Read Matthew 25:1-13. Who do you identify with in this story? What challenges you? How would this parable read differently if the gender roles were reversed?

Respond by posting a prayer.

¹ Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders of Israel, its leaders, judges, and officers. They presented themselves before God. ² Then Joshua said to the entire people, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Long ago your ancestors lived on the other side of the Euphrates. They served other gods. Among them was Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor. ³ I took Abraham your ancestor from the other side of the Euphrates. I led him around through the whole land of Canaan. I added to his descendants and gave him Isaac. ¹⁴ “So now, revere the LORD. Serve him honestly and faithfully. Put aside the gods that your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt and serve the LORD. ¹⁵ But if it seems wrong in your opinion to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Choose the gods whom your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live. But my family and I will serve the LORD.” ¹⁶ Then the people answered, “God forbid that we ever leave the LORD to serve other gods! ¹⁷ The LORD is our God. He is the one who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. He has done these mighty signs in our sight. He has protected us the whole way we’ve gone and in all the nations through which we’ve passed. ¹⁸ The LORD has driven out all the nations before us, including the Amorites who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God.” ¹⁹ Then Joshua said to the people, “You can’t serve the LORD, because he is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He won’t forgive your rebellion and your sins. ²⁰ If you leave the LORD and serve foreign gods, then he will turn around and do you harm and finish you off, in spite of having done you good in the past.” ²¹ Then the people said to Joshua, “No! The LORD is the one we will serve.” ²² So Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the LORD.” They said, “We are witnesses!” ²³ “So now put aside the foreign gods that are among you. Focus your hearts on the LORD, the God of Israel.” ²⁴ The people said to Joshua, “We will serve the LORD our God and will obey him.” ²⁵ On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people and established just rule for them at Shechem.

Lifted out of context, this passage depicts God as punishingly harsh, demanding and uncompromising. “He is a jealous God,” Joshua says. “He will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm, and consume you,...

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Holy God, I choose you. I choose you. I choose you. May my loyalty to you intertwine with your abundant mercy to bless the world, here and now. Amen.

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