פ Pe 129 Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. 131 I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. 132 Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. 133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. 134 Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey your precepts. 135 Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees. 136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed. REFLECTIONSWritten by Miriam BradshawObedience. I usually think of it like taking medicine, I do it because I know its good for me and I trust the doctor but its not fun. But I’m not sure I could describe a bitter cough medicine or a painful tetanus injection the way this psalmist talks about God’s statutes. In the first verse, they are just plain wonderful. Like a giant lighthouse God’s words give light and understanding in the second verse. Like an ice cold drink in the heat of summer he longs and pants for God’s commands in the third verse. Obedience isn’t a burden either, the psalmist wants to be freed from both the cruel ruler Sin and the harshness of human oppression. Why? So he can obey God! Obedience is freeing. And by the end we find the psalmist weeping. Why? Because God’s law is not obeyed. This year I think I’ve cried more than usual. I’ve longed to be with people more than usual. But have I longed to obey my Saviour more? Have I wept more for the disobedience around me? Sadly probably not. Pray that God would help us to weep more for people who don’t obey and believe in Jesus. Pray that God would help us to long and pant to obey him.ABOUT THE AUTHORThis week our devotions are coming from our Mission Partners. Miriam is serving as a missionary in Valencia, Spain where she’s currently learning Spanish. As you reflect on Psalm 119 please also take a moment to pray for Miriam and the preaching of the gospel in Spain.