Psalm 18:29 says, "For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall". (Second Samuel 22:30 says the same thing.) Here the writer has done impossible things having been empowered by God. Although possibly literal, I believe the actions described could be figurative. He has accomplished a seeming impossible task as if he had just “run through a troop”. These tasks are framed as if done in a very short time, perhaps instantaneous. They could also have taken an extended period. Was it be done suddenly on impulse, or was it done through many small steps over a long period of time? Will we look back one day and see we have "run through a troop" because of our consistent, diligent steps? The language of leap suggests one understanding, one instantaneous act, not a prolonged period. Yet we cannot play the piano instantly. We do not learn a new language instantly. When we can play the piano or speak a new language we can truly say, "I have come through a troop and have leaped over a wall".
Small. steps or large steps; walking or leaps; instants or long-term effort; we will need all these efforts during our lives.
