Jeremiah promised the people a renewal – not a replacement – of the covenant. God would be closer, more personal, and God's laws would be written on the human heart. We should try not to think of God as distant and silent; God is very near, closer than our own heartbeat. But we need to learn to be still and listen.

Even as others answered Jesus' question about His identity, Peter, for once, was silent and listened to the voice within. He responded to the question, 'who do you say that I am?' with a proclamation: the Messiah, Son of the living God.

Jesus was delighted with the answer, not because it was correct, but because it had been revealed by God. Peter ruined it a few minutes later by lapsing into human thinking. He insisted that Jesus should not suffer and die. God has so much to teach us and reveal to us if only we would listen.