In the late 90’s, while I was attending seminary in Orlando, a friend came to visit and he rented a car that had a GPS device. By today’s standards, it was a dinosaur. It was bulky and looked really weird in the front seat of the car. But back then, it was the latest thing and it was really cool. You could type in your destination and a nice sounding British lady would give you turn by turn directions. We decided to test her and purposely took a wrong turn. She patiently but persistently told us what to do until we were back on the right road headed for our destination.

Doesn’t that sound like Proverbs 8? Spiritual GPS was God’s idea in the form of wisdom that gives you directions and tells you when you have made a wrong turn and then helps you get back on the right track. And to top it off, wisdom is personified as a woman! Let’s dig a little deeper to understand her purpose and methods.

Notice where she stands, on the heights along the way, where the paths meet, beside the gates leading into the city (verses 2-3). In other words, she is easy to find. She is in plain sight. Also notice that she calls out and raises her voice to all mankind. Think of a time when your mother raised her voice at you. Did that get your attention? That’s the idea. She is speaking in a voice for all to hear and she is located in a place that is easy to find. She is accessible.

What is her message? I have worthy things to say, my lips speak what is right and true. Therefore, choose my instruction (verse 10). Verse 35 concludes, “For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. But whoever fails to find me harms himself . . .” Basically, she is saying look for me, listen to me, learn from me and you will live.

All too often, we are like the simple and the naive in Proverbs 8 who go into the city looking for trouble. The problem with life in this world is that you don’t have to go very far to find temptation. Wherever your are, there you are. (How’s that for profound?) The encouragement of this chapter is that the Lord is always with us. He is easy to find. He is not hidden. We just need to listen to him and to choose to follow his instruction and not go the way that seems natural or the way that everybody else is going, because that’s the wrong way.

Lord, we ask you to give us ears to hear your voice of wisdom. Especially when we are walking on the crowded and noisy streets that are full of distractions and temptations. Help us to choose your way and to walk according to your wisdom today. Amen.