03/20/2026
As I reflect on Book of Obadiah 1:15–18, I'm reminded of a truth that should shape both our ministry and our personal walk: “The day of the Lord is near for all nations.” This is not just a message for those we serve it is a message for us as well.
In our role as chaplains, we stand in places where people are often at their lowest facing consequences, hardship, brokenness, and sometimes judgment. This passage reminds us that God is a God of justice. “As you have done, it shall be done to you.” That principle is real, and we see its effects lived out in the lives of those we minister to every day.
But we must be careful this scripture is not only a lens through which we view others, it is a mirror for ourselves.
We must guard our hearts against pride, just as Edom failed to do. In positions of spiritual leadership, it can be easy to become confident in our role, our knowledge, or our experience. Yet this passage calls us back to humility. We are not above accountability. We are not exempt from the same standard of righteousness we preach.
At the same time, this word is not only about judgment it is about hope.
Verse 17 declares that “upon Mount Zion there shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness.” This is where our calling as chaplains becomes powerful. We are not just present in moments of consequence we are carriers of hope, of restoration, and of redemption.
When we walk into a jail, a hospital room, a crisis scene, or a quiet conversation, we bring the message that God’s justice is not the end of the story God’s redemption is.
Verse 18 speaks of victory that what once consumed will be overcome. This is the promise we carry: that lives can change, chains can be broken, and God can restore what seems lost.
So let this passage challenge us and strengthen us:
To walk humbly before God
To serve without pride or judgment
To speak truth, even when it’s difficult
And to always point people toward the hope of restoration
Chaplains, we are called to stand in the gap not just as witnesses of justice, but as messengers of grace.
Let us serve with hearts that are aligned with both the righteousness and the mercy of God, knowing that the same God who judges justly also restores faithfully.
Be encouraged, stay grounded, and continue the work.