The order of components in a series circuit does not matter <sup>[1]</sup>. Consider a hydraulic analogy: a wire is like a hose, a diode is like a check valve, and a resistor is like a pinch in the hose that restricts flow. You want to limit the current (water) that can flow in the hose. Does it matter where you pinch it?

<sup>[1] at least, not until the speed of light is slow relative to the operation of the circuit. See http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/19759/how-does-the-current-know-how-much-to-flow-before-having-seen-the-resistor</sup>