When one thinks of God they are not usually expected to think of God saying “I cannot do anything till …” and yet here, as Lot is commanded to escape from the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, the Lord God tarries his punishment until Lot is in a safe place, where he won’t come under the indignation and judgment of God. God is willing to wait until Lot and his family are safe.

Points to ponder:
God does not want anyone to perish, especially the righteous who have put their faith and trust in Jesus, accepting him as their Lord and Savior and King. God cannot do anything till the righteous are safe, for he is a Just God and won’t punish the righteous with the wicked.

The Bible teaches us that while the return of the Lord as Judge and King may seem like it is not near, let us be careful to not take the longsuffering (patient) nature of God as one of slackness (2 Peter 3:9). He tarries to bring punishment so that the wheat is not burnt up with the weeds and God is not willing that any should perish (just as he did not want Lot and his family to perish), but he wills that all come to repentance.

Genesis 19:22 (KJV)
22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.

2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.