00:00Hey kids, have you ever felt like you weren't picked for a team because you weren't the biggest or the strongest?
00:07Or maybe someone else got chosen for something just because they looked a part?
00:11Well, today we're going to hear an amazing story from the Bible that shows us something super important.
00:17God doesn't look at what's on the outside. He looks at what's on the inside, in our hearts.
00:22Our story starts with a wise prophet named Samuel.
00:25God had a very special job for him, he said.
00:29Samuel, I want you to go to a town called Bethlehem, find a man named Jesse.
00:34Because I have chosen one of his sons to be the next king of Israel.
00:38Well, a new king.
00:40Samuel was a little nervous, but he trusted God.
00:43So, he packed his things and went to Bethlehem when he arrived.
00:48He invited Jesse and his sons to a special ceremony.
00:52Jesse's oldest son, Eliab, came forward first.
00:55He was tall, strong, and looked just like a king.
00:59Samuel thought, this must be the one.
01:02He definitely looks like a king.
01:04But then, God spoke to Samuel.
01:06He said something really, really important.
01:09Do not look at his appearance or how tall he is because I have not chosen him.
01:14People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
01:18Isn't that cool?
01:19God was teaching Samuel and all of us that what he cares about the most isn't how we look on the outside.
01:26It's not about being the tallest, the fastest, or having the coolest clothes.
01:31God sees right into our hearts.
01:33He looks for things like kindness, bravery, honesty, and a love for him.
01:38Eliab might have looked like a king, but his heart wasn't ready for the job.
01:42So, one by one, Jesse brought his sons to Samuel, seven of them.
01:47And with each one, God said, nope, not him.
01:51Samuel was confused.
01:52He turned to Jesse and asked, are these all the sons you have?
01:56Jesse replied, well, there is still the youngest.
02:00He's out taking care of the sheep.
02:02Can you imagine?
02:03The youngest son, the one who wasn't even invited to the big ceremony, was the one God had his eye on.
02:09Samuel said, send for him, we won't sit down until he arrives.
02:14So, they sent for him.
02:15His name was David.
02:17When David arrived, the Bible says he was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
02:24But that's not why God chose him.
02:26God knew David's heart.
02:27While David was out in the fields, all by himself, taking care of the sheep.
02:32He wasn't just sitting around.
02:34He was talking to God, singing songs to God, and trusting God with all his heart.
02:39He was brave.
02:40Two, he had fought off lions and bears to protect his flock.
02:45He had a shepherd's heart, a heart that cared for and protected others.
02:49That's the kind of heart a king needs.
02:52As soon as Samuel saw David, the Lord said, this is the one, anoint him.
02:57So, Samuel took a special horn of oil and poured it over David's head.
03:01This was a sign that God had chosen David and was giving him the power to be a great leader.
03:08From that day on, the Spirit of the Lord was with David in a powerful way.
03:12David's story is amazing because it shows us that God's choices can be really surprising.
03:18He didn't pick the oldest or the strongest or the one everyone else expected.
03:23He picked a humble shepherd boy with a heart that was full of faith and love for him.
03:28God saw David's potential when no one else did.
03:31He saw a king and a shepherd.
03:33This teaches us to big things.
03:35First, it doesn't matter what other people think of you.
03:38You don't have to be the most popular or the best at everything.
03:42What matters is your heart.
03:44Are you trying to be kind?
03:45Are you honest?
03:46Do you talk to God and trust him?
03:48God sees those things.
03:50And to him, they are more valuable than anything else.
03:54He sees your true worth, which is deep inside you.
03:57Second, we should try to see others the way God does.
04:00It's easy to judge people by how they look or what they wear.
04:04But God wants us to look deeper.
04:06He wants us to see the good in their hearts.
04:08Maybe the quietest person in your class is actually the kindest.
04:12Maybe someone who seems different has an amazing talent you don't even know about.
04:17Let's ask God to help us see people with his eyes to look at their hearts.
04:21David wasn't perfect.
04:23Later in his life, he made some big mistakes.
04:25But what made him a man after God's own heart was that even when he messed up, he would always come back to God.
04:32He would say he was sorry, and he would try to do better.
04:35His heart was always open to God.
04:38So, remember the story of David.
04:40When you feel small or overlooked, remember that God sees you.
04:44He knows your heart, and he loves you for who you are on the inside.
04:48And when you look at others, try to see past it outside and look for the good in their hearts.
04:53Just like God does, because with God, it's always what's on the inside that counts.
04:59Thanks for listening, everyone.
05:01I hope this story encourages you today.
05:03Don't forget to let your heart shine for God.
05:06See you next time, and God bless.
