Trust in men will fail us and make us falter, but trusting in the Lord is always safe
3 min • Digitized on October 21, 2023
From Imitation of Christ, in file "Imitation of Christ", page 252
By Thomas a Kempis
Chap. XLV.—That credit is not to he given to all men; and that men are prone to offend in words.
1. Grant me help, O Lord, in my tribulation, for vain is the aid of man. Ps. lix.
How often have I not found faith there, where I thought I might depend upon it?
And how often have I found it where I did not expect it?
Vain therefore is all hope in men; but the safety of the Just is in thee, O Lord.
Blessed be thou, O Lord my God, in all things that befal us.
We are weak and unsettled, we are quickly deceived and changed.
2. Who is the man that is able to keep himself so warily, and with so much circumspection in all things, as not to fall sometimes into some deceit or perplexity?
But he that trusts in thee, O Lord, and seeks thee with a simple heart, does not so easily fall;
And if he lights into some tribulation, in what manner soever he may be entangled therewith, he will quickly be rescued or comforted by thee; for thou wilt not forsake forever him that trusts in thee.
A trusty friend is rarely to be found, that continues faithful in all the distresses of his friend.
Thou, O Lord, thou alone art most faithful in all things, and besides thee I there is no other such.
3. Oh! how wise was that holy soul that said, My mind is strongly settled and grounded upon Christ. —St. Agatha.
If it were so with me, the fear of man would not so easily give me trouble, nor flying words move me.
Who can foresee all things, or who is able to provide against ail future evils?
If things foreseen do yet often hurt us, how can things unlooked for fail of wounding us grievously?
But why did I not provide better for myself, miserable wretch as I am? Why also have I so easily given credit to others?
But we are men, and are but frail men, though by many we are reputed and called angels.
To whom shall I give credit, O Lord? to whom but thee? Thou art the truth, which neither canst deceive nor be deceived.
And on the other side, Every man is a liar, (Ps. cxi.) infirm, unstable, and subject to fail, especially in words; so that we ought not readily to believe even that which in appearance seems to sound well.