"I have purified these waters; there shall not be from there death or unfruitfulness any longer." Strong, emphatic and significant words of permanent change and cleansing heard at the spring of water outside Jericho. Found in 2 Kings 2:21, the Lord responds with compassion to help those in need, a place that was unfruitful, suffering.This is what God does! He changes us. He purifies us. He gives us life. The men of the city actively participated by submitting to Elisha's request for a new jar and salt. They had gone to Elisha recognizing their own inadequacies to solve their problem. Their water was polluted causing sickness and death. Their land was unnourished and unproductive. So a new jar is the instrument in God's hand, the salt is the symbol of purification and the power is God's alone. It was His power that changed and purified the waters allowing them to be fruitful.
Psalm 51:10 expresses clearly the writer's desire to be changed; "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." As I draw near to the Lord with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, I'm promised in Hebrews 10:22 that the pure water of God's Word will wash my heart clean from its impurities. He alone purified the waters. He alone can purify me.
