Last week, I wrote about “The Little Engine That Could,” the steam engine that learned the power of positive confessions. Additionally, this train learned the importance of good company. Throughout the tale, she asked larger, stronger locomotives to help her up the hill. Unfortunately, they were either too tired or self-absorbed to lend a helping hand. Eventually, however, the “Little Engine” found favor with another train. Coincidentally, this train was “a little steam engine, just like herself.”
It’s important to choose your company carefully, especially when you’re facing a tough situation. Bad company can be discouraging and deflating, while good company can encourage and elevate. In the verses cited above, Joshua chose good company. He knew he was about to lead God’s people into the promised land, so he needed to choose people who believed what God said. And, choose he did! He selected officers who could convince the people that the land possession was inevitable.
If you’re living through difficult times, then now is a good time to reevaluate your company. The sad but true fact of life is “In prosperity our friends know us; in adversity we know our friends” (John Churton Collins). So, choose good company. Friends can be the difference between triumph and tragedy.