From Wilderness Wandering to Promised Land: Learning to Move Forward in Faith

Brothers and sisters, have you ever felt like you’re standing at the edge of a promised land—a breakthrough, a major life change, a deeper understanding of the gospel—but something is keeping you from stepping across the threshold? You feel the Spirit tugging you forward, but you’re stuck in the mud of hesitation.

It reminds me of the Israelites in the wilderness. They were pointed toward the Promised Land, a destination that should have taken them a manageable walk. Yet, according to the Book of Numbers, it took them forty years of wandering. Forty years! It wasn't the geography that was the problem; it was the heart.

As we study the Book of Numbers, we realize this isn't really a book about numbers or geography; it’s a profound manual on the obstacles—the spiritual speed bumps and the full-on walls—that keep us from coming unto the Savior. It’s about the friction between our faith and our fear.

The Wander, Wander, Die Principle

The principle that keeps echoing through these scriptures is what I call the 'wander, wander, die' principle. It’s a powerful reminder that while the Lord is infinitely patient with us—and that patience is a gift—it can also feel like a very long time when we are waiting on Him. We are so reliant on that divine patience that we can forget to activate our own faith.

Think about the contrast presented in the podcast episode. On one side, you have the ten spies, gripped by the "grasshopper complex"—the fear of the giants and the immediate, overwhelming reality. On the other, you have Joshua and Caleb, embodying that "mountain-moving faith." Their faith wasn't just a feeling; it was an active choice to look past the immediate threat and focus on the promise.

"What was it that made them wait an entire generation before they were finally able to enter that land of promise? It was poor decisions. It was lack of faith. It was murmuring and it was contention and disobedience and all the other things that you and I are often guilty of."

This applies so deeply to our own lives as Latter-day Saints. Are we currently in a Caleb season of faith, actively stepping out on the Lord’s promptings, or are we in a Grasshopper season, letting the giants of doubt, comparison, or fear dictate our pace?

Finding Him in the Old Testament

The beautiful thing about studying foundational scripture, whether it’s through a Book Club focusing on the Book of Abraham or a dedicated Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces, is that we are constantly being guided to see the pattern. The Old Testament isn't just history; it’s a tapestry woven with shadows pointing directly to Jesus Christ. We must learn to see Him!

If you are feeling the weight of the Lord's commandments, or if you're wrestling with a doctrinal question that feels too big to tackle alone, I highly recommend leveraging our tools. If you're looking to wrestle with the hard questions—the "what ifs" that keep you up at night—make sure you spend time with Davee in the AI Investigator role. He’s phenomenal at walking you through those tough missionary discussions.

Don't let the sheer scope of the scriptures paralyze you. Focus on one small act of faith today. What is one "giant" in your way—a habit, a fear, a lingering doubt—that you are ready to overcome with the Lord’s help this week? Write it down. Commit to it.

To dig deeper into these lessons on faith and perseverance, I encourage you to listen to the full episode of the podcast covering this material. It’s a deep dive into what it means to truly move forward in the gospel.

If you’re ready to move from wandering to walking, let’s connect. Join us for our next weekly Disciple Challenge—it’s a low-pressure way to practice discipleship skills right from your living room. Or, if you prefer reading, I’ve been revisiting some of the insights from the Iron Rod authors lately; check out the suggested reading in LivingBook!