Singular, that so remote a petition should stand at beginning. We should
begin not with ourselves, but with God; not with temporal wants, not
even with our own spiritual ones.
We begin not with men, but with God.
It is God's glory even more than men's knowledge of Him that the
petition contemplates. And though the two things coincide, which of them
is foremost in our minds makes an infinite difference.
Then in regard to God, we first ask not that His law may be kept, but
that His nature may be known.
The place of this petition in the prayer is explained by considerations
which suggest very important thoughts for ourselves and all men.
That true knowledge of God is the deepest and fundamental necessity for
all men.
That the knowledge will affect their whole scheme of thought and life.
That the most important of all questions is, How does a man think of
God?
That the Inward comes before the Outward.
That knowledge is the guide of emotions and of practical life, as set
forth here in the order of petitions.
This sequence of petitions corrects many errors into which we are apt to
fall.
(a) That religion is chiefly to give us forgiveness.
(b) That accurate knowledge of God and His will matters comparatively
little if we have devout emotions and experiences.
(c) That plans for the reformation of men should begin with the
exterior, leaving theological subtleties to themselves.
But this is not a theological subtlety.
'Seek ye first the kingdom of God,' is a maxim for social reformation as
well as for individual life.