In 598 B.C., the army of Babylon, led by their king, Nebuchadnezzar, besieged the city of Tyre. This ancient city was one of the wealthiest cities of the world because of their merchant ships which traversed the known world. However, the city did not immediately fall. In fact, it was thirteen years later that the merchants of Tyre sailed away taking their treasures with them. When the Babylonians entered the city, it was abandoned. In anger, they leveled the city and left it in ruins.
Nebuchadnezzar had been God’s tool to bring heaven’s judgment against Tyre, because she had rejoiced when Jerusalem was sacked (Eze. 26:2). The Babylonian king had accomplished God’s will, even though he did not believe in God. He had done God’s will, but he had not been rewarded. Even more amazing is the insight this story gives us into the nature of God. Here the words of Ezekiel, “Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon caused his army to labor strenuously against Tyre; every head was made bald, and every shoulder rubbed raw; yet neither he nor his army received wages from Tyre, for the labor which they expended on it. Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Surely I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; he shall take away her wealth, carry off her spoil, and remove her pillage; and that will be the wages for his army” (Eze. 29:18-19). Here is the truth so many have failed to see. God always pays His debts. The absence of the spoils in Tyre was replaced by the riches from Egypt. God always pays His debts! Even the smallest debt!
Now think about how this applies to your life. “For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecc. 12:14). If God notices every idle word a man speaks, will He not also note every kind word you have ever spoken (Matt. 12:36-37)? You have never given even one cup of water (tea, coke, or coffee) to another which He will not reward (Matt. 10:42). You have never brought a single can of food to the church building which He did not see, nor which He will not reward. You have never made a single visit to a hospital, an assisted living facility or to a shut-in which He will not repay (Matt. 25:37-40). He rewards every coin, even the smallest, contributed by the poorest person (Luke 21:1-3).
Think about it. If our God did not fail to reward the deeds of an evil king, He will never fail to reward you! God always pays His debts—just ask Nebuchadnezzar!