President Bill Clinton (January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001) did something on this date that should have spoken volumes to the American people and set a precedent for future presidencies.
Republican President George H.W. Bush (January 20, 1989 – January 20, 1993) was defeated for reelection by Democrat William Jefferson Clinton. Bush was expected to easily win reelection. He entered the reelection campaign with a victory in the Persian Gulf War and high approval ratings under his belt. However, he was still considered by many to be a failure with the economy. As the economy worsened, other Republican challengers entered the race. Bush won the party’s nomination with Clinton winning his party’s nomination. Then, a third-party individual came into the race and upset the apple cart: Ross Perot.
As with any campaign, there is plenty of mudslinging, accusations, and attacks. This one was no different. After the dust had settled on election night 1992, Clinton had won, and Bush would be out of a job as of January 20th the following year.
The transfer of power was peaceful. The presidential letter written from the outgoing president to the incoming president was kind, gracious, and supportive. Bush left office with a 56% approval rating from the American public.
“On April 13, 1993, the day before George Bush was scheduled to visit Kuwait and be honored for his victory in the Persian Gulf War, Kuwaiti authorities foiled a car-bomb plot to assassinate him. Fourteen suspects, most of them Iraqi nationals, were arrested, and the next day their massive car bomb was discovered in Kuwait City.
“Citing “compelling evidence” of the direct involvement of Iraqi intelligence in the assassination attempt, President Clinton ordered a retaliatory attack against their … headquarters in the Iraqi capital on June 26. Twenty-three Tomahawk missiles, each
costing more than a million dollars, were fired off the USS Peterson in the Red Sea and the cruiser USS Chancellorsville in the Persian Gulf, destroying the building and, according to Iraqi accounts, killing several …”1
While we do not glorify war and vengeance, President Clinton acted appropriately according to the authority vested in him by the United States government and his actions are supported by Scripture. Romans 13:1-4 reminds us, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. (3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: (4) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”
The powers that be are ordained of God. They have God’s authority to wield the sword when necessary to execute wrath on those who do evil. This wasn’t a question of Democrat or Republican. It wasn’t an issue between predecessor and successor. It was an issue between good and evil. And President Clinton stepped up to the plate and handled it. He took care of business. I’m not so sure that the same response would happen today.
Governments are given this right and authority by God. We are watching Israel defending its nation and people. They are protective, going on both defense and offense to ensure their safety. The Ukraine is dealing with the Russian invasion. There is internal conflict in Myanmar. “In early 2021, the country’s armed forces dismissed the results of the November 2020 elections, deposed the government, and established a military junta.”2 The USA could be swept into these conflicts or a conflict of its own overnight.
As believers, we know what to do. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 tells us what to do. All that’s left to be determined is whether or not we will.
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (2) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; (4) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
1https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/clinton-punishes-iraq-for-plot-to-kill-bush
2https://toda.org/global-outlook/2024/five-conflicts-to-keep-an-eye-on-in-2024.html
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