But before that request, Jacob struggled with God, he wrestled with God. And in that struggle, when he came face to face with Him, and when he would not let go, the socket of his hip was touched so that his hip was wrenched. He eventually ended up limping because of that.
When we desire to know God, and eventually come face to face with Him, we would definitely have to wrestle it out with Him. It would not be an easy encounter but it would definitely be a struggle. Something costly would be required of us and it will not be comfortable. There may even be a time when God will "break" us.
I am not writing this in order to dampen your spirit but the opposite. This is a lesson for me and I end up amazed and tounge-tied affirming "God does require so much." And as a response I am reminded by David's attitude when he said in 2 Samuel 24:24 "I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." The song (I forgot the title) goes even better:
I will not offer anything that costs me nothing.
I lay before Him
nothing less than my very best.
And if I'm called to sacrifice, it will be
worthy of my Christ.
I will not offer anything that costs me nothing.
