Proverbs 29:1 

He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.

It was the largest natural disaster in U.S. history, causing well over $100 billion in damage. The storm flooded the entire city as well as neighboring parishes. Yet many ignored the repeated warnings that Hurricane Katrina was headed for New Orleans; in the end, eighteen hundred people lost their lives. Hundreds of other lives were saved only because rescue workers risked theirs. 

There are many interesting studies and hypotheses as to why people stay behind when they have been warned that a storm is coming. Among the many reasons, stubbornness is at the top and may underlie many of the other findings. Some simply refuse to listen to the pleas of those who care.  

Scripture describes those who refuse repeated warnings as “stiff-necked.” Their pride will not allow them to “bend” to others. They will live life in their time frame and on their terms. It will seem to them, for a while at least, that they were right and everybody else was wrong. But destruction will come…suddenly…with nothing to remedy the situation. Whether it’s a warning regarding imminent weather or a wayward life, one thing is certain: Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Prov. 16:18).

Father, show me where I am stiff-necked. Remind me of ignored instruction. Help me move to safety before it is too late and “beyond healing.”

In Jesus’ name.

Amen.