Discovering something or someone that is being looked for. The whole of Scripture points to God seeking out lost human beings and finding them. The delight of people at finding things (such as lost coins or wayward sons) is seen as a parable of the joy of God over repentant sinners.
Finding by searching
People do not always find what they are searching for
Proverbs 20:6 See also Genesis 27:36–40; 2 Samuel 17:20
Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?
God is sometimes found without being sought
Romans 10:20 See also Isaiah 65:1; Romans 9:30–31
And Isaiah boldly says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me.”
Promises that God can be found
Deuteronomy 4:29; Matthew 7:7–8 parallel Luke 11:9–10 See also Jeremiah 29:13–14
But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
People's joy in finding God
Finding the kingdom
Matthew 13:44 See also Matthew 13:45–46
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Finding the infant Jesus
Matthew 2:9–11 See also Luke 2:10–12, Luke 2:16–18
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great delight. On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Finding the Messiah
John 1:41 See also Mark 1:36; John 1:45
He first found his brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated as Christ).
Finding the risen Christ
John 20:20 See also Matthew 28:1–9; Luke 24:40–43
After He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Results of finding God
Finding truth
John 8:31–32 See also Psalm 25:4–5; John 16:13; 1 Timothy 2:3–4
So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Finding rest and security
Psalm 36:7 See also Psalm 91:4; Matthew 11:28–29
How precious is Your loving devotion, O God, that the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings!
Finding mercy
Proverbs 28:13 See also Psalm 6:9; Matthew 5:7
He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
Finding satisfaction
Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God. For apart from Him, who can eat and who can find enjoyment?
Finding success
1 Samuel 18:14 See also Genesis 39:23
and he continued to prosper in all his ways, because the LORD was with him.
Finding life
Proverbs 8:35 See also Matthew 7:13–14, Matthew 10:39
For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.
God's joy in finding repentant sinners
Luke 15:3–7 See also Luke 15:8–32
Then Jesus told them this parable: “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.
Other aspects of finding in life
Finding things
Deuteronomy 14:21; Matthew 17:24–27
Finding people
Genesis 41:38; Acts 19:1; 2 Timothy 1:16–17
Finding a wife
Genesis 24:1–4; Proverbs 18:22
Finding wisdom
Proverbs 3:13, Proverbs 24:14; James 1:5
Finding God's will
Numbers 9:8; John 7:17; Romans 12:2
Sin finds people out
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.