Daily devotion – The first church service in Australia
Psa 136:3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Australia Day 2024 – Australia previously was called Terra Australis – “Land of the South” and also “New Holland” by the Dutch seafarers in the 17th century.
160,000 convicts were transported to our shores in the first 80 years.
The first minister of God arrived with the first fleet in 1788 in New South Wales, the Rev. Richard Johnson. Along with him on that voyage he was chaplain to the convicts, 568 males, 191 females and 13 children who survived the eight-month voyage.
Governor Philip ordered the first service of public worship in Australia at 10:00am on Sunday, February 3, 1788. The Governor ordered that no man be absent on any account.
The meeting place was ‘a great tree’ close to the harbour and here Reverend preached from Psalm 116:12 – “What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.”
Lieutenant Ralph Clark, reporting this historic moment wrote, “We had a very good sermon…the behaviour of the convicts was regular and attentive.”
Now in 2024, we find ourselves blessed to be living in the beautiful country that abounds with great riches and splendour.
This Australia Day, let us give thanks once again to our Heavenly Father for “His benefits once again toward us!” Just as Reverend Johnson first proclaimed in our blessed shores.
Psa 92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:
Take time on your day off if you have been given one to spend some special time with the Lord thanking Him for His goodness to you – 1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Pray you have a blessed Australia Day.