"But if not..." This radio transmission May 29, 1940, from the beaches at Dunkirk launched fishing boats, sailboats, rowboats, and anything that would float to rescue 330,000 trapped soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force. Those three short words inspired the British to undertake a nearly impossible task, against all reason and logic, and somehow succeed. The populace knew what those three words meant...

But if not...Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were threatened with the fiery furnace if they did not bow to Nebuchadnezzar's idols. They replied that "If it be so, our God is able to deliver us from the fiery furnace...but if not, we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image."