Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  6000 Sin and salvation  »  6600 Aspects of salvation  »  6650 finding

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

God is sometimes found without being sought

Romans 10:20 See also Isaiah 65:1; Romans 9:30-31

Promises that God can be found

Deuteronomy 4:29; Matthew 7:7-8 pp Luke 11:9-10 See also Jeremiah 29:13-14

People's joy in finding God

Finding the kingdom

Matthew 13:44 See also Matthew 13:45-46

Finding the infant Jesus

Matthew 2:9-11 See also Luke 2:10-12,16-18

Finding the Messiah

John 1:41 See also Mark 1:36; John 1:45

Finding the risen Christ

John 20:20 See also Matthew 28:1-9; Luke 24:40-43

Results of finding God

Finding truth

John 8:31-32 See also Psalm 25:4-5; John 16:13; 1 Timothy 2:3-4

Finding rest and security

Psalm 36:7 See also Psalm 91:4; Matthew 11:28-29

Finding mercy

Proverbs 28:13 See also Psalm 6:9; Matthew 5:7

Finding satisfaction

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

Finding success

1 Samuel 18:14 See also Genesis 39:23

Finding life

Proverbs 8:35 See also Matthew 7:13-14; Matthew 10:39

God's joy in finding repentant sinners

Luke 15:3-7 See also Luke 15:8-32

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

Numbers 32:23; 2 Samuel 12:1-14; Acts 5:1-11

See also

1070  God, joy of
5940  searching
8160  seeking God
8283  joy