It was the largest natural disaster in US 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, and, in the end, 1,800 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 a storm is coming. Among the many reasons, stubbornness is at the top and may underlie many of the other findings. Some people simply refuse to listen to the pleas of those who care. Today’s proverb says it like this.

Proverbs 29:1
He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.

Scripture describes those who refuse repeated warnings as “stiff-necked.” Their pride will not allow them to bend, even when they need to bend. They will live life in their time frame and on their terms. It will seem to them, for a while at least, that they are right and everybody else is wrong. But destruction will come…suddenly…with nothing to remedy the situation. Whether it’s a warning regarding weather or a wayward life, one thing is for certain—Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 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 “without remedy.”
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.