Test of Faith

Job was a wealthy, upright man
who lived each day with zest.
He had a solid faith in God.
His life was surely blessed.

One day, the devil said to God,
"No wonder Job adores You.
You’ve given him so many things;
of course his faith appears true.

The man’s been blessed with seven sons
and several lovely daughters,
a multitude of fine livestock
and land with flowing waters."

God answered him with steady voice,
"Yes, I have blessed him much.
To test his faith, take all he has,
but Job you cannot touch."

The devil planned his wicked deeds,
without risk of God foiling
his evil execution of
vast bloodshed and despoiling.

I’ll take it all, the devil thought,
and God will ascertain
that once Job’s blessings are consumed
his faith will not remain.

A servant came to Job and cried,
"Your workers have been slain!
The men of Saba killed them
as they pillaged your domain.

They took your cows and asses.
The field hands – there are none.
Nobody else escaped the sword;
I am the only one!"

A second servant hurried in.
"A blaze burned all your sheep!
I am the only shepherd who
survived the fiery sweep."

And as he spoke, another man
walked up to Job and said,
"Dear master, I bear awful news;
the herders are all dead!

They were attacked by evil men
and murdered by their swords.
They took all of your camels.
I’m all that’s left, my lord."

A fourth man, quietly walked in,
and he began to cry.
"A great wind from the wilderness
has made things go awry.

Your sons and daughters were at home;
they gathered for a feast.
But strong winds blew the house down,
now all their lives have ceased."

Job tore his robe and shaved his head
and kneeled upon the floor.
"The Lord took much, but still, I will
love Him forevermore!"