Aug. 30, 2026

When the pressure is on and the outcome seems uncertain, is it ever acceptable to compromise what is right in order to make things work? In this message from 1 Samuel 13, Pastor Brent examines King Saul’s decision to take matters into his own hands when Samuel failed to arrive when Saul expected. Faced with a powerful enemy and a rapidly disappearing army, Saul chose what seemed practical—but in doing so, he disobeyed God and began trusting his own judgment more than God’s command. Through Saul’s failure, we’ll confront the seductive idea of pragmatism: “If it works, it must be right.” Scripture calls us to something different. Rather than manipulating circumstances, rationalizing compromise, or using God to accomplish our plans, we’re called to obey what God has said and trust Him with the results. Saul wanted God’s power more than he wanted God Himself; the challenge for us is to choose faithfulness even when obedience doesn’t appear to produce the outcome we want. When the pressure rises, will we do what works—or will we do what’s right and leave the results to God?