We see a glorious picture of grace in God’s intervention in Sodom when he literally grabbed Lot and his family and pulled them out of the city. “While he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city” (Genesis 19:16).
As Lot lingered on the brink of destruction, with no strength or will to deliver himself, God hand-led this confused, deluded, sin-bound man to safety. He was telling Lot, in essence, “I love you and I’m not going to let you die in this outpouring of judgement. You’re a righteous man, Lot, and I have warned you. Now come!”
“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). The literal meaning of “without strength” here is “without an ability or will.” God says he is willing to act for us because we have nothing to give.
The Lord had one more directive for Lot: “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed” (Genesis 19:17). The mountain here represents God’s presence, a place alone with him. We see this image repeated throughout scripture. On a mountain Moses was touched by God’s glory; Jesus sought his Father in prayer; Christ was transfigured before his disciples.
“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain” (Psalm 48:1).
“Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths” (Isaiah 2:3).
When God delivers you by faith in his promises, run straight to the mountain of his holiness — his presence.