November 16, 2021

For You will light my lamp; the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. Psalm 18:28

He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. Isaiah 40:11

It was the goal of the Reformed leadership in Geneva to keep the light of God’s Word burning like a torch for all to see. John Calvin and the others cared for the flock with love and longsuffering, gently helping them out of a variety of vices while highlighting the principles of purity put forth in the Word. Providence was calling each member of the flock to preparations for a wide variety of weighty tasks. They were rising up to fill these positions in a worthy manner.

Geneva became a refuge for hunted reformers from all over western Europe. Calvin remained there for the better part of thirty years while a continual stream of wounded and starving refugees arrived and were welcomed and tenderly cared for. The wounds were deep, as so many of them had lost their homes and families. Gratitude was shown in many ways, as they blessed the city of their adoption with their talents, skills, learning, and piety. Many who sought refuge in Geneva were strengthened to return to their own countries, carrying the torch of pure faith as their weapon against the tyranny of Rome. Examples are John Knox, the brave Scottish Reformer, the Huguenots of France and many from England, Holland, and Spain.

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith. Philippians 3:7-9